Comments on: Summer Activities for Kids: Limiting Activities http://www.simpleproductivityblog.com/summer-activities-for-kids-limiting-activities/ Because a fulfilling life doesn't have to be complicated. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:37:03 +0000 hourly 1 By: LJ http://www.simpleproductivityblog.com/summer-activities-for-kids-limiting-activities/#comment-1318 LJ Sat, 16 May 2009 13:23:41 +0000 http://www.simpleproductivityblog.com/summer-activities-for-kids-limiting-activities/#comment-1318 <p>My daughter can just as easily suck up time using learning sites like Starfall.com as on Webkinz. She can literally sit for three hours reading stories. </p> <p>My thought is not to limit the exploration and learning, but to limit the interaction with the device. I would rather have her up and moving than sitting sedentary for so long. I want her to learn to explore her physical world as well, and use her imagination. Computers, video games and movies don't allow much use of the imagination, IMO.</p> <p>At early ages, educational sites are as fun as non-educational, thank goodness. But if you really wanted to limit time by site, you can switch to Firefox (which I recommend anyway), and use the various addins to limit time spent on any given site during a day. Most of these addins are used for adults, to keep them away from time-wasting sites. But they could be used just as easily for kids.</p> My daughter can just as easily suck up time using learning sites like Starfall.com as on Webkinz. She can literally sit for three hours reading stories.

My thought is not to limit the exploration and learning, but to limit the interaction with the device. I would rather have her up and moving than sitting sedentary for so long. I want her to learn to explore her physical world as well, and use her imagination. Computers, video games and movies don’t allow much use of the imagination, IMO.

At early ages, educational sites are as fun as non-educational, thank goodness. But if you really wanted to limit time by site, you can switch to Firefox (which I recommend anyway), and use the various addins to limit time spent on any given site during a day. Most of these addins are used for adults, to keep them away from time-wasting sites. But they could be used just as easily for kids.

]]> By: Kim http://www.simpleproductivityblog.com/summer-activities-for-kids-limiting-activities/#comment-1317 Kim Fri, 15 May 2009 22:39:05 +0000 http://www.simpleproductivityblog.com/summer-activities-for-kids-limiting-activities/#comment-1317 Good thoughts, but one thing's bothering me - computers are about learning, interacting and exploring as well as playing games, and I want to encourage this. What are other parents doing? Do you lump all 'computer time' in with TV and DVDs, or do you distinguish between 'educational' and 'recreational' use (which of course makes in look 'not fun')? Good thoughts, but one thing’s bothering me – computers are about learning, interacting and exploring as well as playing games, and I want to encourage this. What are other parents doing? Do you lump all ‘computer time’ in with TV and DVDs, or do you distinguish between ‘educational’ and ‘recreational’ use (which of course makes in look ‘not fun’)?

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