Guest Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 Do you let your children have access to the computer/s all the time during freeplay or do you have a set time each day when you have the computer on? I have always favoured the children having free access to them however, I have now got one boy who would be on it all day if he could and I want him to use the other learning areas. Any advice please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 Our children have full acess to the computor during free play, it is being used about 70% of the time We dont have any children who are "stuck to it" at the moment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 We allow free access unless they are being used for the focus activity. When this is the case we try to leave one free for the others, but it can sometimes be distracting! We have several children who would quite happily spend every second there, so we have a system whereby there are three 'computer' badges, with a number corresponding to the number on one of the computers. When the computer they wish to use is already being used by a child, the waiting child wears the badge, so that when it is freed, the child leaving knows to find the waiting child. If anyone 'slips in' before the waiting child, they are politely asked to vacate, and they may have the waiting badge themselves. This seems to work well, all children being used to the system. Newer children sometimes have a bit of a problem at first, but we are consistent with this approach, so they get used to it. If the waiting time gets too long the children know to seek assistance from an adult, but they are surprisingly good at sharing now. Hope that makes sense, Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debstephens Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 we have an egg timer next to our computer. When their time runs out the children know it is someone else's turn . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marion Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 We put a time limit on those children we know will spend all day at one activity (sand timer is good visually or a kitchen timer with a bell works equally well) if the children dont move at the end someone always reminds them (or tells the staff) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inge Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 aslo use the timer method, they all know to move on when they hear the bell and most can set it when they start thier turn, waiting list by using thier self registration names on a board next to PC children soon learnt to find the one at the top when the bell went and they left pc, also have 2 on at once sharing helping each other taking turns etc, all really enjoy this. We usually have 5 min slots with them being able to finish the last thing they stated before leaving,(within reason) only a few take advantage and staff know to monitor them Inge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 We used to use timers, but children were so enterprising they changed the settings!!! Gotta lov'em! Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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