We have multiple computers in our house. One server, one Mac (Mike's) one for the kids and one that is mine.
When C&L are doing their school online (time4learning), their "designated days rule" is not in force. Usually, Lundi works upstairs and Caleb, because he has a harder time with background noise, works down stairs in the office. Otherwise, it works like this:
Sunday-it stays off
Monday-Lauren's day
Tuesday-Moms day
Wednesday-Moms day
Thursday-Caleb's day
Friday-Lundi's day
Saturday-Harrison's day
The reason that I have days on their computer is because it gives me a chance to have a "no media day," or give one of the other kids an extra day if they need it. This has proved to be the system that works best for us. Their designated computer day, also happens to be their day for family prayers. Now......Lauren sometimes takes the "her day" thing waaaaay overboard. Like she thinks that she rules everything all day (meals, tv shows, where we go....on and on). Other than that, it goes pretty smoothly.
Hope this helps, see you on the morrow.
KKS
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Puter time
Well computer time at our house started out as a major privilege. I mean liliana had to complete serious chores in order to earn the time she got on the computer. Once she was on she was in control of where she wanted to be. As we set up her own desktop with only certain sites (we are up to 10 sites now) she decided if she wanted to visit all of them or just one. In the beginning, I hardly even interacted with her while she was having computer time. As with all new and exciting things after time she wasn't as excited about earning computer time. Now I don't make such a big deal about having to earn the right to use it, I usually just say, "alright, before computer time (it tends to take place right after dinner, during that hour between eating and getting ready for bed) we have to tidy up your room and finish our dinner"...We typically help her complete her task and I tend to hover around the general computer area now. I still let her direct herself as to what she wants to 'play' but will offer suggestions if she starts getting bored or frustrated with something.
As I have also just looked at the Freeware and added some sites to liliana's desktop she was just playing tonight and if something is new to her she ask me loads of questions. She is also in the 'I want to show you something" stage...It is hard for me. I really like her being able to navigate a site or exercise by herself (part of that is selfish, even though I am still nearby, I enjoy her not asking me questions or even paying attention to what I am doing so that I can have a few minutes of thoughts) .If she is not sure how to do something (since she is still learning to read I have to initially show her where the important buttons are to click) than I will sit with her and guide her.
As I was looking at the Freeware site I also wondered about how much time she should spend on the computer. on the one hand, it is great information all for the taking. On the other hand I really don't want her in front of any type of screen for that long in a given day. So as of now she spends about 30 mins on the computer tops a day. I can see her using it for longer as she is older, like an hour. I can also see myself allowing her to earn more time (up to 30 mins) to do things like email/blogs/or whatever else that she would want to do that is not pertinent to her education but that is still skill building and harmless.
Like tonight in the course of 20 mins we did abit of typing (learning where things are on the keyboard), some tuxPaint, some counting (math) 'games' from two different sites, she spent about 10 mins on her new favorite site poisson Rouge. I do not have to set a timer yet, she usually pulls herself off (gets fidgety and ready to move on to the next thing) within 15-20mins.
Anyway this is what we do for now. We will revise as needed.
I should also add this all applies to a normal, good, healthy day...If I am sick or what have you than I would rather she have more computer time (with all of this educational stuff) than watch a movie or drive me crazy. So life is imperfect and hopefully our children forgive us for not always being a straight arrow
As I have also just looked at the Freeware and added some sites to liliana's desktop she was just playing tonight and if something is new to her she ask me loads of questions. She is also in the 'I want to show you something" stage...It is hard for me. I really like her being able to navigate a site or exercise by herself (part of that is selfish, even though I am still nearby, I enjoy her not asking me questions or even paying attention to what I am doing so that I can have a few minutes of thoughts) .If she is not sure how to do something (since she is still learning to read I have to initially show her where the important buttons are to click) than I will sit with her and guide her.
As I was looking at the Freeware site I also wondered about how much time she should spend on the computer. on the one hand, it is great information all for the taking. On the other hand I really don't want her in front of any type of screen for that long in a given day. So as of now she spends about 30 mins on the computer tops a day. I can see her using it for longer as she is older, like an hour. I can also see myself allowing her to earn more time (up to 30 mins) to do things like email/blogs/or whatever else that she would want to do that is not pertinent to her education but that is still skill building and harmless.
Like tonight in the course of 20 mins we did abit of typing (learning where things are on the keyboard), some tuxPaint, some counting (math) 'games' from two different sites, she spent about 10 mins on her new favorite site poisson Rouge. I do not have to set a timer yet, she usually pulls herself off (gets fidgety and ready to move on to the next thing) within 15-20mins.
Anyway this is what we do for now. We will revise as needed.
I should also add this all applies to a normal, good, healthy day...If I am sick or what have you than I would rather she have more computer time (with all of this educational stuff) than watch a movie or drive me crazy. So life is imperfect and hopefully our children forgive us for not always being a straight arrow
With So Many....How Do You...
With so many good and helpful websites for the kids (thanks to Educational-Freeware)- and I haven't even added the downloads yet- I am now in need of a better system for granting computer time. Part of me feels like truly educational practices (not just the skill building games) could be used as part of their learning time (I am trying to separate the two). But then I wonder if that would allow someone too much time on the computer and cause a break down in the other kids because they feel it is unfair.
So, how do you regulate computer time?
So, how do you regulate computer time?
Monday, March 3, 2008
Local Group Planning Meeting
We already notified people about the first meeting for our local group... this Thursday March 6 at 10am. Here's what you need to know:
As this is a planning meeting, please bring a bag lunch for yourself and each of your children.
Coloring will be provided. If your child has trouble sharing coloring items, please bring their own. If you think your child will not do well with this project, please bring something else for them to do.
In the future, these things will be arranged differently. We'll be discussing these things along with other planning and group set-up topics.
If you are interested, but have not yet found out where we are meeting, please contact either Tara or Juanita... call or email, use profile to contact us through email if you don't already have the information.
Thank You
As this is a planning meeting, please bring a bag lunch for yourself and each of your children.
Coloring will be provided. If your child has trouble sharing coloring items, please bring their own. If you think your child will not do well with this project, please bring something else for them to do.
In the future, these things will be arranged differently. We'll be discussing these things along with other planning and group set-up topics.
If you are interested, but have not yet found out where we are meeting, please contact either Tara or Juanita... call or email, use profile to contact us through email if you don't already have the information.
Thank You
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