Education Improves When You Switch the TV Off and Start Talking
Hang on to your hats Apple, Samsung and HP; children are best not to switch on their smartphones. Children should not get their hands on any hand held device until they are at least 15 years old. They should also limit playing educational games on their computer to around one hour a day. So says Barnaby Lenon the ex-head teacher (master) of Harrow school.
Key to this edict is a concern excessive use of computers can prevent children from developing social skills. Fat too many children, especially boys, suffer inadequate reading and conversational ability due to excessive time at home glued to a computer. Not only does this impair academic achievement but is a significant influence behind poor or anti-social behaviour.
There are ways to instigate the conversation though discussion cards developed to encourage children and adults to open up and voice their opinion and concerns. Ideal for PSHE lessons they can be used for the home environment.
Mr Lenon emphasised the need to also match the amount of sleep with age. A child of 11 or under needs 10 hours of sleep. Bed time became more manageable when a family develops a relationship through conversation, especially around the meal table. If you need a catalyst to start the conversation take a look at award winning Fink cards – developed for this purpose.
Whilst at Harrow school Mr Lenon introduced parenting courses. Initially he feared the idea would be seen as patronising, yet attendance doubled each year. Most teachers feel poor discipline and social skills are a key factor behind the disruptive classroom. Often irritated by the need for teachers to act as parents these parenting classes seem to have a double benefit. Parents learn how to positively influence children; their academic performance improves and the flow of information within families and the classroom advances.
The key investment is time, often a commodity most of us have in short supply. But the benefits are significant and long lasting. The ability to express oneself in debate in school, university and in adult life is a boon that cannot be replaced by a computer.
