Smarter ways to homeschool kids: experts say tech toys can help kids and parents during lockdowns

Not all screen time is equal, experts say, and there are plenty of fun and smart tech toys to entertain kids during lockdowns.

Not all screen time is equal.

That’s the message from education and parenting experts, who say there are plenty of smart ways to spark children’s curiosity, creativity and problem-solving skills while playing with technology this year.

Children’s time in front of smartphones, tablets and laptops has soared during lockdowns and quarantine, with Qustodio finding it had doubled in some families this year, causing some parents and pundits to fear for a lost generation.

But University of Western Sydney technology and learning researcher Dr Joanne Orlando says it’s also possible for children to learn using a well-designed app or, as she describes it, “hard fun,” for the way it challenges kids.

“Just like we’re happy with children playing LEGO, there’s equal value in doing those sorts of things on a screen,” she said.

“They still have to think about the resources they’ve got in front of them and they’re still having fun. It’s something that’s enjoyable but that’s got them thinking.”

Coding apps can prove useful for older kids, she said, as can creative outlets like the Google-made Toontastic 3D app that lets young storytellers animate their own tales.

Technology kits from Osmo also let players interact with instructions shown on an iPad, for example, while Apple this week revealed plans to release educational courses on YouTube, starting with how to draw Peanuts characters.

But Dr Orlando said parents should be careful when selecting tech for their kids, and choose creative and challenging options rather than passive pursuits.

“When parents choose apps for kids, 80 per cent of parents choose apps that will keep their kids entertained and quiet,” she said. “It’s important for parents to rethink that approach and how they’re using devices in the home.”

The Osmo Math Wizard kids use an iPad and its camera for an augmented reality-style experience.

Motherhood coach and author of Mama Rising, Amy Taylor-Kabbaz, said families in lockdown should consider using tech tools and apps for the benefit of all household members — keeping kids engaged productively while also letting parents complete tasks.

“In a way that’s what we should be focusing on more than set classroom activities,” she said. “If there are things we can use with technology to free parents up but also stimulate children’s interests that’s perfect. My kids don’t want to look at another Google slide.”

But most of all, Ms Taylor-Kabbaz said families in lockdown or who fear they might enter another one should go easy on themselves and protect their health first.

“Kids will catch up but what we won’t catch up on is mental health struggles,” she said.

“We haven’t recovered from other lockdowns so the enthusiasm, the commitment to online learning and sourdough baking and all of those things is not there. We’re tired and we’re allowed to say no to a lot of things this time.”

FOR TODDLERS

LeapFrog Count Along Cash Register Deluxe

$39, bigw.com.au

This toy gives new meaning to ‘shopping for essential items’. Designed for kids aged two years and up, this toy cash register features number and food buttons that light up and play songs when pressed, and a checkout button that asks users to pay for items with coins or a card. Almost 30 shopping items come with the set, from watermelon to bread.

FOR YOUNG STUDENTS

Osmo Genius Starter Kit

$179, playosmo.com

Osmo’s games combine real-world play with instructions delivered on an Apple iPad, making them more than empty screen time. This Starter Kit comes with enough equipment for five games, including letters for word puzzles, shapes for geometry challenges, pens for drawing tasks, and numbers to solve maths problems. The kit also comes with a stand for the iPad and an attachment so its camera can capture objects placed in front of it. More games can be purchased separately, including a Math Wizard set, Artist Bundle and coding kit.

FOR TWEENS

Sphero Mini Activity Kit

$150, sphero.com.au

This small robotic ball has plenty of playful possibilities. The smallest Sphere comes packaged with a host of miniature safety cones, bowling pins and barriers to create an obstacle course once you get it rolling, as well as 15 activity cards with suggestions on how to use the ball to set up new games. The ball itself connects to a smartphone using Bluetooth, lights up, and will roll around as commanded for up to 45 minutes on a single charge. More advanced coders can opt for the Sphere Bolt that is fully programmable and a bit more rugged.

FOR OLDER STUDENTS

UBTECH Jimu Robot Meebot 2.0

$220, apple.com/au

There’s nothing quite like building and programming a robot to keep you entertained. The second generation Meebot can be made from 390 interlocking parts, six robotic motors, one control box, a colour sensor, and two eyes that light up. There are no tools required to create your own android but after you connect it to an Apple or Google-based phone or tablet, you can program it to sing, dance, change colours, and perform increasingly advanced routines.

Originally published as Smarter ways to homeschool kids: experts say tech toys can help kids and parents during lockdowns