TV Time

[nannyde]

Who knows, perhaps public education will be a thing of the past. We already have online elementary schools...

http://www.k12.com/

Middle School...

http://iqacademymn.org/program

Yup

And when they start offering a cash subsidy for all parents who will do it from home THEN we will see it flip. The average kid costs about 10K a year to educate. When the parents have access to that money per kid and the online computer based education is avalable we will see Districts offering it and parents taking them up on it.

[kidkair]

Aww, I don't know about that. I'm a couple hours south of you and our kids barely use that stuff now! My dd is in 2nd grade and every classroom in her school is equipped with a SmartBoard and several computers. My 5th grader emails his assignments in and my highschooler uses the online dropbox on his assisgments...that way they can run them through plagarizing software...

My son was just telling me about the new xbox game where they don't use ANY controller at all. I think that by the time our kids have kids, and I mean my 16 year old, not my 7 year old, life in general will be almost completely electronic.

Did you see Chevy's new i-phone app? You can start your car from ANYWHERE...lock the doors, whatever....

What I meant to say was that kids will still be using crayons and such here at my daycare. I will not ever go fully electronic regardless as to what schools do.

[Cat Herder]

Yup

And when they start offering a cash subsidy for all parents who will do it from home THEN we will see it flip. The average kid costs about 10K a year to educate. When the parents have access to that money per kid and the online computer based education is avalable we will see Districts offering it and parents taking them up on it.

I did k12 online public school for many years free. Mine just went back to brick and mortar this year for junior high. It is considered public education and the state recognizes it. I think they are up to 8 states now? I loved it, they supplied all the books, software, art supplies, science projects, field trips, a on-call teacher, and for most folks they even supplied the computer. (I earned too much) When my kids went back they all tested for Honors/AP Program and have been able to maintain straight A's and B's with very little effort (that scares me ALOT ) .

I guess it wont be long until they do pay you to do it to keep from having to build more schools?

[jen]

I think its a little scary...I work at home, went to school online, bank online, order groceries online. I can (and sadly have) gone days without leaving my house! Heck, my kids would rather text than carry on a phone coversation! There are days when I go in his room and he is playing online video games with his friends, texting someone else, and talking on facebook all at the same time. Oh, and don't forget Skype! Can you say elecontronic overload!?

Yikes! We are going to become a society of the socially inept!

[Former Teacher]

We hardly ever watch tv now. The only time I turn it on now is during naptime. If I had it on all day or eating or whenever, the little boy I watch would be transfixed and won't play. Depending on the moment, sometimes I will put it on when I have to use the bathroom. Otherwise it's not at all (other than nap, and then its just Clifford on PBS and then Food Network :

I did tell the little boy, even though he is only 3 years old, that we will be watching the Royal Wedding of Prince William. Told him that we will have a party with a crown cake etc...he got really excited. I am sure he didn't know a thing about what I was telling him about but I sure am excited! ::

[misol]

I'm gonna say it. I really don't see the problem with TV in moderation, as long as it's something educational and age appropriate. We watch Nick Jr (Dora, Diego, Team Umizoomi; NOT Spongebob, Rugrats, etc b/c I don't see any educational value in them) or Playhouse Disney for about a half hour in the morning, and the 4 yr olds who only nap about 45 minutes watch Sesame Street as quiet time until naptime is over. And occasionally, when we have finished our afternoon cleanup and waiting for dc parents, I'll turn it on so that my house stays clean until dc parents get here.The rest of the day is arts/crafts, free play, outside play, snack & lunch.

Every once in a while (maybe once a month), I'll do a movie day where they will watch one or two movies throughout the day.

I agree - only educational programming and in moderation. I allow PBS, Disney, Sprout, and Noggin, Nick Jr. I have the TV on daily during dropoffs, pickups, and lunch prep. I have kids in care for longer but only have planned activities scheduled from 9-5. My TV is in a separate room from the playroom and there are no toys allowed in there. I find that even when I have the TV on, the kids still prefer to be in the playroom playing. TV is always optional I never make anyone sit and watch TV.

[Luna]

After four hours of trying to entertain and amuse this 6yo boy, this could very well become a Four-Dora day.

[Blackcat31]

I think its a little scary...I work at home, went to school online, bank online, order groceries online. I can (and sadly have) gone days without leaving my house! Heck, my kids would rather text than carry on a phone coversation! There are days when I go in his room and he is playing online video games with his friends, texting someone else, and talking on facebook all at the same time. Oh, and don't forget Skype! Can you say elecontronic overload!?

Yikes! We are going to become a society of the socially inept!

This made me laugh because a few months ago, my DS who is 19 was living in his room....so my DH says to him "Ya gotta do something, be social, hang out with your friends..."
and my DS promptly replies "Yeah, every time I want to do something with my friends you guys say no"
So DH goes, "When have we ever told you that you can hang out with your friends?"
and DS replies, "You keep taking my internet away!" ::::

When he doesn't do chores etc, he loses internet priviledges.....I had to sit him down and explain to him that hanging out with friends meant physically! But I guess that is the differrence between my generation and his!