Understanding Digital Natives
Digital natives are the first generation of people to grow up with and use technology in their everyday lives. From their beginning, they have used computers, the Internet, video games and mobile devices for play, learning, entertainment and relationships. Life without their favorite technological device seems boring.
They think differently. Instead of being adopters of technology, they are living with technology. They receive and process information quickly. They are multi-taskers. Graphic rich environments are far more appealing than text-based ones. They thrive on instant gratification and frequent rewards. Game play is preferred.
As a parent, how do you cope? Use technology to instill key skills and concepts. For example, a calculator can be useful in learning basic mathematical concepts. Let your kindergartener or first grader explore numbers by subtracting the number 1 repeatedly on the calculator. Observe their face when they get a negative number. Discuss what happened.
With an older school age child, ask them to add or subtract the same number repeatedly using their calculator. Patterns will emerge when you add 2, 5, 10 or 100. Connect this idea with multiplication.
By using your child’s favorite technology as a learning tool, you help them be more creative.