WHY ARE KIDS SO GOOD AT TECHNOLOGY?

It wasn’t so long ago that we were all asking our pre-teens to program our VCR’S.  Now we are asking them to activate apps and to do unbelievable things with our phones.  How can this be? We are the adults and we are always supposed to be the teachers.  This is true only if we have the experience and know how.  Now kids are growing up with this opportunity to learn on the go and by doing real world activities.   This is nothing new since back in the industrial revolution our children were expected to learn new tasks on farms and factories that required no fear of failure, but a mastery by figuring things out.  Our children are seeing first-hand the connections and continuity among tech concepts.  They are self-motivated because they have a need to know information which they find extremely useful. To boot, there are no tests, deadlines, or grades.

          Young children are also pushed to independence as they firmly express, “I can do it myself”.  The inner mind is wanting to take ownership of their actions.  As the child grows independent progress continues as they play with toys, dress up, make-up games, and begin to read.  Their imagination and creative ability begin to soar.  They are making their own way as they continue to explore the world around them. 

          Now this new toy comes into their lives.  This new thing called technology continues to reveal adventures not realized before.  Buttons and keys are pushed and some marvelous new things begin to happen.  Now the teen is in control to look at parts of our world not seen before whether it be for amusement or deep learning. Sometimes things work out as expected, but most often failure appears therefore needing more trial and error.  That’s o.k., because they have confidence and will persist.  The world is theirs and there is very little direct adult supervision.  So they have control of where they go and what they learn.  Information is just a finger touch away and with some expert guidance the world is their oyster.  Phones become the tool for not only communication, but also a device to get immediate feedback with questions posed in math, science, and foreign language.  Books continue to be read as they provide the entry way to critical thinking as they examine what history and other cultures can teach us.  Teens can now express themselves in ways never imagined.  They can do podcasts and videos to collaborate with others and produce works of genuine worth.  

So the answer is now apparent.  Technology is their new crayon giving them the power to have control of their thoughts and continue to imagine their futures.

Oak Hill Academy is a NJ private school that is co-educational, independent, nonsectarian, and nonprofit for grades pre-kindergarten through eight. Oak Hill Academy is dedicated to a traditional, challenging, and caring learning environment that encourages comprehensive thought processes and deep understandings; thus promoting the wholesome intellectual, emotional, moral, and physical lifetime growth of our students. To learn more about how we are the best Private School in New Jersey, visit us online at www.oakhillacademy.com , or subscribe to our mailing list to be notified when we post more topics.