I have noticed the lack of energy and motivation in our children in the morning when they were dropped off by parents/whanau. Although they look well, it somehow bothers me as I believe that children should start their day feeling energetic.
While I cannot say that their inactivity may cause health problems right now, I can say that it is going to lead to serious problems later in life, such as diabetes or even coronary heart disease.
In order to be healthy kids must get plenty of daily exercise, but sometimes, parents aren't sure just how much activity their children need for optimal health and fitness. Recommendations vary by age, but kids should never remain inactive for long, children should be encouraged to keep moving for most of their waking hours.
The question is how can we motivate our children to do exercise?
I was apprehensive to admit it at first but this is where technology is coming. I was referring to dvd and cd exercises for children.
Although I question technology’s impact on children, the aspect of using a dvd or cd became appealing to me when I saw the children respond to it with anticipation and stamina moving their body to the beat and singing.
Dvd and cd became my weapon for children who do not like exercising. Sounds crazy but it works wonder even to a timid child. So now I do not have to try harder in the morning to do exercise with the children in the centre, I just play on the cd or dvd and children start their own regime. It’s fun and it promotes learning and development which is important in helping children regulate their emotion and so aid their learning as suggested by the Neuroscience study (Preedy, P., Wolinski, R., & O'Donovan, C. 2004).
In our centre T a special need child dances in wonderment everytime he hears the wiggles cd. I have taught him how to turn the cd on so he can dance and do some movements everyday.
Dvd and cd became my weapon for children who do not like exercising. Sounds crazy but it works wonder even to a timid child. So now I do not have to try harder in the morning to do exercise with the children in the centre, I just play on the cd or dvd and children start their own regime. It’s fun and it promotes learning and development which is important in helping children regulate their emotion and so aid their learning as suggested by the Neuroscience study (Preedy, P., Wolinski, R., & O'Donovan, C. 2004).
Through giving children exercise regularly I am affirming Te Whariki strand one that state children’s emotional well-being is nurtured.
Too often I associate “technology” with electronic media only, yet…technology is a term that can apply to any tool that assists us…to work…to learn…to play (Haugland, 1999).
We might think of technology as providing digital manipulative for children ….tools that serves the same purpose as Froebel’s gifts or the Montessori materials…or any of the other materials that we provide for young children in our programs. Technology provides us with digital tools for learning. We should be asking: What can children learn from these tools? What can they DO with these tools? (Elkind, 1998).
As we think about these tools of the future, we might consider how children use technology. ECE professionals could begin to think of technology/electronics/screens in the same way that we think about blocks/ paint/manipulatives/ books (Haugland, 1999).
If we think of technology as providing children with opportunities to interact with digital tools….we must consider the most appropriate way to introduce and use these materials with young children. Just as we introduce other learning materials in the context of play, we should introduce digital tools in a playful context. Using Erikson’s developmental framework (or Vygotsky’s, etc.) provides a useful way of thinking about how children at various ages might use or be introduced to technology (Haugland 2000).
From these to these
References:
From these to these
Elkind, D. (1998). Computers for infants and young children. Child Care Information Exchange. 123, 44-46.
Haugland, S. W. (2000). Early childhood classrooms in the 21st century: Using computers to maximize learning. Young Children, 55 (1), 12-18.
Haugland, S. W. (1999). What role should technology play in young children’s learning? Young Children, 54 (9), 26- 30).
Haugland, S. W. (2000). Early childhood classrooms in the 21st century: Using computers to maximize learning. Young Children, 55 (1), 12-18.
Haugland, S. W. (1999). What role should technology play in young children’s learning? Young Children, 54 (9), 26- 30).
Preedy, P., Wolinski, R., & O'Donovan, C. (2004 Exercise for Learning.)
Excellent points Annie, our centre children love opportunities to move to music and we offen use dvd and cds. I have used these tools as active movement and music sessions for the toddlers I have worked with. From this I have seen them grow physically and cognitively for the better. However it is a tool where we dance or exercise or go on a lion hunt, not just sit and watch a movie. As Annie made reference too, a tool to energise, motivate and exercise while having fun, children don't need role modeling on sitting still watching tv.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I use these tools daily I did not associate them initially, with being a form of technology. With out thought I would reply that technology is something electronic that has buttons and gets plugged in. In reflection technology is the everyday items and tools we use. This is a real shift in thought for me and I realise that I will need to continually re-assess how I see it.
After reading your blog entry, I really agree with you that physical activity or exercise is very important for one's health and well-being. At my centre we use cds too to encourage the children to get active and it does make exercise enjoyable for them.
ReplyDeleteBecause the stereo or cd player is something electronic, I do think of it as a form of technology, even ICT as the radio and cds do communicate with us.
Although it is wise to question technology and its impact on children, what with the risks involved etc, have you considered whether the benefits outweigh the risks or vice versa? That could be something that you might like to discuss with your colleagues? How can we minimise these risks when the children are using technology? However I think with cds and dvds they just need to be educational and appropriate for them, what do you think?
Also apart from playing, do the children do any exercise when they are outside? Maybe you and the other teachers can do an exercise activity outside with the children. Some more questions for you think about - What do the children learn when they are exercising apart from the physical skills and development? Can other resources (technology?) be used to extend on their learning? Eg sports equipment, teachers, and so on. Have your colleagues noticed the lack of motivation and energy in the children and what can they do about it?
Hi Mindy
ReplyDeleteThank you for you comment/recommendations, well look like to me anyway. Good that you pointed the risk of using or relaying too much on tech. On my first blog title "Is exposing children to technology good/bad? guess you haven't read it yet. I pinpoint the benefit and disadavantage of using tech, my reading suggest that technology has had many effects on children, some effects are good, others not so good. In either case society has to adapt to the fact technology is going to continue to grow and be a staple in a child's life. Innovation is not going to go away anytime soon, if anything technology will become a larger influence in their lives. There are some alternatives to technology which is the outdoor games, which for us educators promotes most often than not as it is vital for their well being to be outdoor. Yes I could say theres a lot of learning being outdoor as Te Whariki stated that children develop working theories for making sense of their natural, social,physical, and material worlds (Ministry of Education, 1996).
Hi Annie, Wow a digital microscope thats new to us, it must be exciting to use the latest tools in technology each day. Technology does change our live and can be for good and bad. Children and adults can get excited about a new electrical tool or apliance, its refreshing to use new technology. At our centre we do have one or two battery toys and we supervise the play. I agree with you about the good old building blocks they are great fun and the children construct heaps of themes such as; train tracks, roads, houses,fences and towers etc. Like your centre does we also encourage movement by dancing to music, waiata,to Justin Beiber. I love your Learning stories, keep up the good work Annie.
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt I agree with my fellow students and their blogs above. There is no question that physical exercise is important for the modern day child. I believe the modern day curriculum is more intense in comparison to its predecessors and only keeps getting more complex. Technology has become an inseparable and integral part of modern day schools. Use of this technology like the Wii, the smart screen, ipad, Cd's and DVDs has not only made things more interesting but is becoming a necessary evil for most children and their future.
ReplyDeleteIt is still a very debatable subject as to what the pros and cons of technology are especially for children. It is agreed clearly though that if put to good use it can attract and impact the younger generation and produce almost instant results. This is obviously evident with the number of play stations and Wii consoles in household around the world and still selling. Technology has become an inseparable part of the modern day education and its good use will start producing some very unique results like never seen before with the modern generation of kids.