Is a Tech-Free Classroom Good for Modern Kids

1. ISA TECH-FREECLASSROOMGOOD FORMODERNKIDS? In aworldwheretechnology reignssupreme,moreandmore schoolsare placing technologicalandelectronicskillsatthe forefront. Assuch,moderneducationis seeingmoretechnologyintheclassroom,suchastabletsandcomputers,andfewer tactileactivities. Yet, one placeyouwon’tfind a streamofelectronicsisinMontessorischools. TraditionalMontessorifocusessolelyonlearningusingone’sownhandsandconcrete objects–noelectronicequipmentisrequired. In fact, it’soneofthemanybenefitsof Montessorieducation. Thatbegsthequestion– isa tech-free classroomagood optionformodernkids,oris technology in schools(traditionalschooling)a betterchoice? Pros andCons ofTechnologyintheClassroom To helpbetterunderstandwhetherornottechnologyinschoolsisbeneficial,youneed to be aware oftheprosand consoftechnology in the classroom. Pro:MoreEngaging

2. Whengivenachoice,mostchildren aregoingto optfora flashyandinteractive computerortabletscreencompared to theaveragetoy. Thatsaid,electronicdevices havetheperkofbeingmoreengagingtoeven the youngestminds. Pro: Endless LearningPossibilities Books,toys,andactivitiescanbelimited. Yet, whenitcomesto electronic devices, thepossibilitiesforlearningare endless.Whetherwatchingavideoaboutanimalsor taking avirtualtrip to thelocalmuseum, electronicsopen the doorto manylearning adventures. Pro: PreparesfortheFuture Technologyiscontinuingto advance andisbecominga partofday-to-daylivesfrom beginningto end.Havingaccessto electronicsandlearning thefundamentalsof technologyprepareschildren, evenyoungones, forfuture endeavors. Con:LimitsSocialization Staringatascreen means there islessofa chance ofsocialization,which is animperative skillforstudents,especiallythoseinpreschoolandelementary.When socialneedsaremet,youngchildrenwillbeable to fosterempathy,learnthe concept ofteamwork, boosttheirconfidencelevels, andimprove overalllanguage skillsfor thefuture. Con:DiscouragesCreativity Whenitcomesto electronics,mostoftheworkisdone foryou.Mostofthetime, there islittleneed touseone’sowncreativityorimaginationforproblem-solving. Thatsaid,overuse ofelectronicsatayoungage can discourage creativity,which can hinderoveralldevelopment. Con:Less Memorable Learning Experience Learning something at the lightning-fast pace of electronics can be exciting and straightforward,butitdoesn’talwaysequatetoin-depthandmemorablelearning. Learningwithoutelectronicdevicesallowsformoredepthandvaluableknowledge, especiallyforyoungchildrenwhocanlearnusingtheirhands. Con:Distracting

3. One ofthemostsignificantdrawbacksto technologyintheclassroomisthatitis pretty distracting, especially to young students who are already prone to distractions. Thisresultsin lesslearning throughoutthedayandmayevencausedistressin studentswhowould ratherplayon electronics than learnusingtheirhands. HowCypressCreekFriscoMontessoriSchool is Adapting WhiletraditionalMontessorischoolingisagainsttech inthe classroom,Cypress CreekFriscoMontessoriunderstandsthattimesarechanging.That’swhyweare one ofthetopMontessorischoolsinFriscoforthoseseekingthe perfectblendof Montessorilearningandmodern-day education. Tostay truetoourmissionofpreparingchildrenforlife,weusethecoretenantsof theMontessorimethodand applyitto ourcomputerscienceacademicprogram. To do so, our Frisco Montessori schooling facility has re-imaged technology to create a hands-onlearningexperienceknown as“connected technology.” Notonlywillyourchildbeabletoreceivethebenefitsoftactilelearning,butthey willalsobesetupinawaythatkeepsthemconnected to thephysicalworldandhelps themunderstand howto responsibly navigatethe digitalone. Experience howCypress CreekFriscoMontessoriinspiresacademicexcellence, and enrollyourchild today!