Book Club Recap : All Things Tech-y

In early March, we met again for our intrepid Cortland Book Club. A few years ago, we figured out that our book clubs needed to center around participating in meaningful ways without having to commit time to reading a lengthy book. We do this through articles, experience, and topics that are close to home, for example, sharing your child’s favorite non-fiction picture book, or having a special theme for the night.

Cortland parents requested a “Tech Book Club”, so we went ahead with the theme of “All Things Tech-y” for our March meet.

It was important for all of us to define together what “tech” actually meant, and we came to define it as video via television, video via computer, apps, “screen time”, and anything else that requires a device for use, i.e. a podcast or a book on cassette.

We also read, as a group, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) article regarding “a healthy media diet.” I mentioned that this report is softened from an earlier version, which initially said NO screen time for ages birth to four. https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/american-academy-of-pediatrics-announces-new-recommendations-for-childrens-media-use.aspx

We agreed that tech is becoming easier to use, not more difficult, so the argument that children need to use tech at an increasingly younger age so they, “don’t get behind” is really a moot point nowadays. The film “Screenagers” was recommended. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQx2X0BXgZg So was the book, The Big Disconnect. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMoichws0Jc We also learned of this tech podcast that you might be keen on, https://gimletmedia.com/reply-all/

You can use your technology to learn more, she types, somewhat ironically.

That said, we earnestly discussed and respectfully shared the ways we use tech in the home and classroom. Or the ways we don’t. Cortland is known for a very thoughtful and deliberate type of parent; I appreciated that we represented a broad spectrum of both types of use and amounts of use.

Resources / recommendations from our group that are tech-driven included:
-PBS, namely Peep and Pals
-Bloom App and Bebot App, for music creation and synthesis that can grow with a child over time into something rather sophisticated
-Monkey Math App, Moose Math App, Park Math App
EPIC App, which gives you many favorite book titles, just for the tablet instead
Metamorphabet and Word Wagon App
Classical Baby, which you can catch on youtube
-using calm, child-friendly videos in foreign languages to teach / reinforce bilingualism in your household
-dvd resources Linnea in Monet’s Garden, Al Jarnow’s Celestial Navigations, kinetic sculptor Arthur Ganson’s Machines (parents who have these on loan, please return to Cortland soon!)

Parents also submitted info to this cause after the Book Club event, via email, with a specific ask for CODING Apps (all the rage right now):

From Belinda Duellman
“I like the idea of sharing what online resources (apps, games, shows) people like. I’ve mentioned Peep and the Big Wide World that are short 10 min videos that have a live learning component to them at the end (on Amazon they have the learning component but the ones on youtube don’t; we still like the cartoon, though). We have also really enjoyed Cosmic Kids yoga and Scratch Garden too, which we learned from Cortland. I bet other families have similar random obscure similar apps, games or shows that it would be interesting to hear what others like because there is so much out there, it can be a bit daunting digging through to find what’s actually good and educational with value vs just commercial junk.”

From Kari Poby

“Here are a couple apps for coding for kids: Kodable (Amelie’s favorite), and Daisy the Dinosaur. The board game Robot Turtles is also great for this, but needs some adult interaction. It’s great because it can grow with their skills.

We also love the app Thinkrolls for problem solving.”

From Angela Crowley

“Thanks for the info. My son likes the Scratch Jr app for coding. We also have the Robot Turtles board game.”

So, use them, don’t use them, these resources are here for you to decide for yourself and your child what is best. We use technology to supplement what is already taught in person at school, provide gross motor on rainy days, and to answer questions that we cannot answer ourselves, i.e. What does a Kookaburra‘s “laugh” sound like?!

NEXT BOOK CLUB is TBD for July or August. The theme is BYO empathy building book or resources. We will meet at Ugo’s for snacks, drinks, and good conversation. Child care and fun in pajamas for ages 2+ provided at Cortland, $5 is the suggested donation to the attending teacher. 6:00 drop off at Cortland / meet at Ugo’s – 7:30 p.m. wrap up, pick up by 7:45 p.m.

Have a tidbit to contribute? Let me know and I’ll add you to the list! director@cortlandpreschool.com