7 Ways Technology Can Help Your Child to Learn

Does technology have a place in the classroom? The answer is inevitably yes. The fascination your child has to technology can be leveraged for learning. Of course you must tailor each child’s daily dose of screen time to their age and to recommendations from professionals, but you can use their tech time for teaching.

Active engagement: Choose games and apps that are educational and require input from your child. Apps and games that require tactile engagement and manipulation of objects around the screen help your child to remember and work on their fine motor skills.

Make screen time interactive: Stop them from time to time and ask them to explain the story or the game, ask questions and get them to retell bits of each story to help with communication and comprehension skills.

Problem solving skills: Pick a range of apps and games that require different skills and work different parts of the brain. When you select games that require your child to solve problems, you help them to develop their analytical skills.

Make technology fun: There are games for every skill your child needs to acquire, so make tech time fun. For each new math concept or language skill, you can choose from a plethora of different games and apps to find the one that your child enjoys the most.

Start by looking at the curriculum to see what skills and concepts will be taught over the coming academic year. Then download a number of games and apps for each one that your child can choose from.

Set times for technology: Set a timer on your tablet or smart phone to switch off when the allotted screen time is up. This will help to alleviate any arguments that will ensure when you want to end a session.

Ask your teacher: If you aren’t sure what apps are appropriate tools for teaching, ask your child’s teacher for help. Teachers can help you to get the best apps to teach the skills and concepts that they will be covering in their curriculum or apps that they already use in the classroom.

Stick to the limits: Too much technology, even if it is educational, can lead to behavioral problems, obesity and an inability to socialize well with others. It’s important to keep track of how much time your child is spending on computers, tablets, smart phones and in front of the TV.

Pediatricians from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children should have no more than 2 hours of screen time a day and should not have computers or TVs in their rooms. Of course it’s difficult to limit screen time to just a couple of hours, especially as children get older. However, the more time they spend outside and engaged with physical, academic and family activities, the more likely they are to be healthy and well adjusted. 

STEM Tutoring

LongmontArea’s Top STEM Tutors

In December 2012, St. Vrain won $16.6 million in Race to the Top funds. The U.S. Department of Education chose 16 districts nationwide; St. Vrain was the only district in Colorado honored. St. Vrain's application was praised for its plans to broaden STEM (science, technology, engineering and math. Students apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts using 21st century skills and inquiry-based design thinking models to create innovative solutions to authentic problems enhancing post- secondary and career readiness. STEM curriculum provides students the skills to succeed in advanced education and a fast changing and highly competitive global economy. Not only do students need to science or math  concepts, but they need to know how to write to communicate and prepare papers  Does your child attend a STEM school and need help to succeed? Grades in STEM courses must be a C or better to be eligible for certificate.

  These schools include:

Race to the Top STEM Schools

• Alpine Elementary
• Columbine Elementary
• Fall River Elementary
• Indian Peaks Elementary
• Northridge Elementary
• Rocky Mountain Elementary
• Skyline High School
• Timberline K-8
• Trail Ridge Middle School

STEM Focused Schools

• Erie Elementary
• Longmont High School
• SPARK! Preschool
• Westview Middle School

HTML: Does technology have a place in the classroom? The answer is inevitably yes. The fascination your child has to technology can be leveraged for learning. Of course you must tailor each child’s daily dose of screen time to their age and to recommendations from professionals, but you can use their tech time for teaching. Active engagement: Choose games and apps that are educational and require input from your child. Apps and games that require tactile engagement and manipulation of objects around the screen help your child to remember and work on their fine motor skills. Make screen time interactive: Stop them from time to time and ask them to explain the story or the game, ask questions and get them to retell bits of each story to help with communication and comprehension skills. Problem solving skills: Pick a range of apps and games that require different skills and work different parts of the brain. When you select games that require your child to solve problems, you help them to develop their analytical skills. Make technology fun: There are games for every skill your child needs to acquire, so make tech time fun. For each new math concept or language skill, you can choose from a plethora of different games and apps to find the one that your child enjoys the most. Start by looking at the curriculum to see what skills and concepts will be taught over the coming academic year. Then download a number of games and apps for each one that your child can choose from. Set times for technology: Set a timer on your tablet or smart phone to switch off when the allotted screen time is up. This will help to alleviate any arguments that will ensure when you want to end a session. Ask your teacher: If you aren’t sure what apps are appropriate tools for teaching, ask your child’s teacher for help. Teachers can help you to get the best apps to teach the skills and concepts that they will be covering in their curriculum or apps that they already use in the classroom. Stick to the limits: Too much technology, even if it is educational, can lead to behavioral problems, obesity and an inability to socialize well with others. It’s important to keep track of how much time your child is spending on computers, tablets, smart phones and in front of the TV. Pediatricians from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children should have no more than 2 hours of screen time a day and should not have computers or TVs in their rooms. Of course it’s difficult to limit screen time to just a couple of hours, especially as children get older. However, the more time they spend outside and engaged with physical, academic and family activities, the more likely they are to be healthy and well adjusted. STEM Tutoring LongmontArea’s Top STEM Tutors In December 2012, St. Vrain won $16.6 million in Race to the Top funds. The U.S. Department of Education chose 16 districts nationwide; St. Vrain was the only district in Colorado honored. St. Vrain's application was praised for its plans to broaden STEM (science, technology, engineering and math. Students apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts using 21st century skills and inquiry-based design thinking models to create innovative solutions to authentic problems enhancing post- secondary and career readiness. STEM curriculum provides students the skills to succeed in advanced education and a fast changing and highly competitive global economy. Not only do students need to science or math concepts, but they need to know how to write to communicate and prepare papers Does your child attend a STEM school and need help to succeed? Grades in STEM courses must be a C or better to be eligible for certificate. These schools include: Race to the Top STEM Schools Alpine Elementary Columbine Elementary Fall River Elementary Indian Peaks Elementary Northridge Elementary Rocky Mountain Elementary Skyline High School Timberline K-8 Trail Ridge Middle School STEM Focused Schools Erie Elementary Longmont High School SPARK! Preschool Westview Middle School

Lessons your Child should be Learning in Preschool

Kindergarten is an important milestone in a child's life. After all, it's the first block in the foundation of education they will build over the next 12 years. But many children have their first school experience in preschool where they begin to develop essential skills. Here's how a preschool should be helping your child to develop so that they can be on track for kindergarten.

Responsibility

Be sure that your preschool is asking kids to be responsible for their lunches, snacks and gear from home. "By the end of preschool, most kids can take on full responsibility for all of three items," says Vicki Hoefle, a longtime professional parenting coach and educator. "When they do, it builds confidence, organizational skills and teaches responsibility."

Rules

If your kid doesn't like rules, you're not alone. But Hoefle says it's important for preschoolers to learn boundaries so when they get into the kindergarten setting, they understand structure. She suggests preschools invite the kids to help each other follow the rules, set up for activities and participate in cleanup. "If kids are invested in the space, supporting classroom rules and helping each other, they will be ready for more participation in kindergarten."

Language

Preschool is an important time for educators to work with children on developing their language skills, incorporating lessons that will help them with items such as answering questions in complete sentences, retelling the plot of a story and even answering hypothetical questions such as "What would you do if you were thirsty?" Dr. Adiaha Spinks-Franklin, a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician with Texas Children's Hospital, says by the time a child enters kindergarten, she should be able to know her parents' first and last names, address and phone number and understand instructions containing multiple steps, direction words and objects with descriptions.

Play skills

A child entering kindergarten should know how to play simple card and board games, and they should use imaginative and futuristic play when playing with friends, Spinks-Franklin says. "They should be able to take turns, share and negotiate," she said. "A kindergartener understands rules in a game and how to follow them."

Leadership

Let your kids take the lead — and encourage preschools to as well, advises Brown University researcher and child development expert Richard Rende, who has conducted research with Elmer's about the benefits of arts and crafts in education. "Creativity is promoted when kids take the lead," Rende said. "The creative spark is lit when kids try to figure out how to make things work on their own."

Confidence in academics

It's important for preschool teachers and parents at your child's age to help build confidence and self-esteem so they're fully prepared to expand upon academic skills they should know at this age, says Frank Milner, president of Tutor Doctor. Some of these academic skills they should know by the end of preschool include looking at pictures and telling stories, counting to 10, talking in complete sentences, identifying rhyming words, identifying alphabet letters, sorting similar objects and bouncing a ball.

Independent living

Sure, no one expects a preschooler to live on his own. But learning independent living lessons in preschool can help set up a child for success in kindergarten. Spinks-Franklin says children entering kindergarten should be able to dress themselves, including buttons, zippers and tying shoes. He should also be able to make a simple meal, such as a bowl of cereal or sandwich and be able to brush his teeth on his own.

Fine motor skills

Preschool may seem like it's all about fun, but at this age through lessons, children are learning important fine-motor skills. "Strong fine-motor skills strengthen finger muscles using play dough, clay, scissors, tweezers, scrunching paper, etc., to make fingers strong for cutting and writing," says Lori Becker, professor of Early Childhood Education at Kaplan University.

Safety lessons

Preschool is a great time to reinforce what moms and dads teach at home about safety, Spinks-Franklin says. "A child entering kindergarten should understand basic rules of safety — do not run into the street, talk to strangers, walk away from parents in public places or take off her seatbelt while the car is moving."

Happy memories

One of the most important items a preschooler should learn is how to create happy memories, and lessons at your child's preschool present the perfect opportunity for this. "Smiles, laughs and some silliness keep kids engaged," Rende said.

What important lessons does your child's preschool teach that you think are important to a child's development?