At The Learning Workshop we believe that engaging children actively in pretending, coloring, talking with others, building, reading, cooking, and trying new things is much more beneficial than sitting in front of a computer or television screen. Therefore, we limit our technology use to an occasional turn on the word processor and an occasional viewing of appropriate portions of videotapes only when first hand experience is impossible.
We also passionately request that you limit your child’s at home television viewing to no more than one or two age-appropriate, high quality, and non-violent TV shows or videos per week. Frequent television viewing negatively affects brain development and the development of strong muscles and a healthy heart. Frequent television viewing erodes a developing attention span, inhibits self-direction, and interferes with literacy development and problem solving. Frequent television viewing increases feelings of boredom and aimlessness and decreases self-esteem and interaction with others.
For many of the above reasons, we also request that you limit your child’s time on the computer. Language, social skills, and the ability to play imaginatively all suffer when a child spends a great deal of time on the computer. Beware of software with violent and sexist themes, excessive stimulation (sudden loud noises or garish color effects), or which has your child guess rather than problem solve.
