100 Best Ideas to Turbocharged your Preschool Ministry Read Online Free Page B

of the TV.
Parents believe media is key to their children’s future success. Many parents think their children need to get familiar with computers as early as possible.
   One mom from Columbus, Ohio, says, “They’ll survive without the video games and TV...I don’t think they’ll survive without the computer. When they’re older, they aren’t going to have a cashier to check them out at Kroger.”
Parents see it as an educational tool. Research does show that educational programs such as Sesame Street can help preschoolers learn to read and count. Twenty million parents currently use the educational website jumpstart.com , which teaches children reading, math, and critical thinking skills.
   A mother of a preschooler in Irvine, California, says, “I don’t spend nearly as much time with my son as I need to. He’s learned huge amounts through the video and computer games that we have...I’m very grateful for the computer games. My kid learned his colors and letters from the computer. It’s been very beneficial to us.”
Parents use it to help with parenting. Today’s parents have a tough job. Often husbands and wives work and juggle complex schedules, and there are growing numbers of single parents. In this environment, parents often turn to media and technology as tools to help them manage their households and keep their children entertained while parents cook, do household chores, or enjoy some “me” time.
    The debate rages among parents and educators as to whether and how technology, such as computers, should be used with young children.Some believe that bringing children into too many aspects of the adult world too soon is collapsing the stages of childhood.There are positive and negative points on both sides of the debate.No matter which side of the debate you land on, this much we know for sure: The preschoolers in our ministries are being raised in a digital, high-tech world.We must know how to minister to them effectively.
    When ministering to digikids remember...
Nothing can replace caring volunteers who build relationships with preschoolers. Technology and computers aren’t a substitute for personal interaction. Research at 14 universities found that intelligence, academic success, and emotional stability were determined primarily by personal and language interaction with adults. Barbara Bowman of the Erikson Institute in Chicago says, “Even in the age of technology, it is through relationships with others—through joint activities, language, and shared feelings with other human beings—that children grasp meaning.”
Honor their shorter attention spans. Digitykes are used to rapid scene changes and quick edits. Researchers say that distracting graphics and special effects encourage stimulus-bound behavior that can contribute to shorter attention spans. This can cause reality to seem underwhelming or even boring in comparison. Break up preschool ministry time and learning into short, engaging, interactive segments.
Speak their language by using media and technology as a teaching method. Technology and media can be great tools to share God’s truth with digikids. Balance is the key. Video lessons every single week can become ineffective. Mix it up, using media and technology some weeks and live learning experiences on others.
Use media and technology to connect with today’s digital parents. Use the Internet, email, Twitter, and other methods to connect with parents and give them tools to disciple their children.
    Childhood may have changed, but children haven’t.Their hearts are still longing to know the God who made them and loves them.The message is still the same...even in a digital format.
—Dale

I was once called to one of our preschool rooms because a little boy was having major behavioral issues—to the point where he kept running out of the room.I took him into the office and talked with him.When I asked about his father, his head dropped and he said, “I don’t have a dad