Tag: children

Categories
Children Technology

Carnivorous Garden

It’s truly amazing what is available these days for children.

For example, did you know that there’s an adult controlled and persmissioned based messenger app that’s designed for children?

That’s right- Monster Messenger is an app, that can be downloaded onto tablets and mobile phones, and be used by children – but don’t worry – it’s all permissioned based and they can only talk/call/video people that the parents have approved.

I personally think it’s great. I wouldn’t want them using Whatsapp or another messenger type where they have full control and could be talking to anyone, anywhere… at least this way, it’s controlled. Only those who the parents have granted permission to can they talk to.

And it’s not only in technology. I’m sure those with children would have noticed that there’s so much available to buy that’s orientated for children. Items that help them learn, grow and become more confident individuals.

We also came across small gardens. These days we spend a lot of time telling children to get out, go play in the garden or down the local park… and it’s always a bit difficult when there’s a large TV inside or there’s various gadgets including tablets or phones where they’re connected – I know, i’ve spent half this blog talking about how great a particular messenger is!

But getting them out, and in touch with nature is important.

Today, we came across small gardens. It’s basically a kit, that has everything inside it… like seeds, soil, etc… and what you do is grow your own mini garden!

That’s right! – you get you grow all sorts in your garden. It’s small. It’s for children. But the great thing is, it’s encompasses the same principles that you’d need if you had an actual garden of your own.

You need to water it. You need to attend to it. You need to do, everything you’d do, if you had an actual garden. Now… the good thing here is, that if the child does attend to it and does everything, the results are there. Something will grow.

And it’s these life principles that are important – because in life, you need to work at something and make it grow. Education is essential… they’re the seeds of information, of knowledge… that you plant.. and they will grow – which will help you later in life.

So having the best of both worlds in this blog.. something technology related for the children… and something outdoors related for the children.

Categories
Uncategorized

Children and Technology…

We take a number of ‘actions’ as normal, and assume (never assume…) that it’ll be housing the latest technology.

For example, we now expect all screens to be touchscreens. Be able to interact with them, pinch and zoom the content on the screen, etc…

Children, moreso… take this as the norm! They’re more ‘digital savvy’ than most folk… with the ability to swipe on a smart phone screen to unlock it from the age of 1, to when they’re putting their games and apps into their own folder a few years later, on your tablet.

The speed at which children can pick up and understand tech is becoming quicker and quicker… and this is down the simplicity. Technology is making everything easier to understand and explore.

Google, earlier on in the year were able to do a program around the UK, where they invited schools to participate in exploring cities around the World using Google Cardboard.

Imagine, seeing all the wonders of Rome… without actually being in Rome! – It’s a great start to exploring the city.

And so… there’s various other programmes that encourage children to get involved with technology. Apple were providing some free classes to teach children how to code in their stores. There’s a number of apps and programmes available that you can download… learn the basics and begin to code your own game.

Understanding how to code, why to code… and most importantly, what can be delivered by coding… is great learning. For the children, they can use their imagination to create the most wonderful games!

Back in my day… I used to be on my Raleigh Grifter – (for those who don’t know what one of those is… it’s like a BMX bike)…. and indoors, I used to enjoy playing with my Lego.

That’s right – constructing all sorts of buildings, objects and items from various pieces of Lego. As a company – they’re still going strong… and recently, I noticed, they’re embracing the whole ‘Kids in Technology’ scene.

Now, there you go… even your Lego builds are becoming ‘smart’.

Why just build? – go one step ahead… code and then play! That’s right, build something… maybe a robot? – then code it, using your parents tablet/smart device… and watch it do things you want it to do… and play with it.

Wonder if you could connect your Lego build… to your Echo… and then by using voice commands… have the build perform an action!

Because, as children learn coding, become more aware of technology and take, recent hand and motion gestures which we’ve become accustomed to over the past few years, as the norm… the world is fast changing… and if children can learn… by play… then that’s only a good thing!