Thank you UBTECH for sponsoring this post. JIMU Robots are a fun way to bring robotics into kid’s day to day and make the perfect gift you can feel good about gifting to the children in your lives this holiday season!
Today I am sharing the 5 benefits of teaching technology to kids. There are so many more reasons why teaching STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) learning is advantageous, but I want touch on some of the top reasons.
Fear based parenting is not the answer when it comes to technology. As moms and dads we need to rise up and say, “This is our world, and it is now digital. How do we teach our kids to navigate it wisely? How do we raise our children to think and respond positively to a technologically driven world?”
I have partnered with JIMU Robot because I am super excited about what this toy can teach our kids. My son just turned 8, and this was his birthday gift.
The JIMU Robot is made for children 8 and up. My son was able to build his robot, using the 3D, 360º instructions on the JIMU app, all by himself. He was able to do some simple coding on his own. The adults in our family were able to work with him on more complex coding series.
The Astrobot Series: Cosmos Kit we were able to get for my son comes with 3 different robots to build – a rolling one, a walking one and a car!
After he received this gift and the girls were able to observe the build, code, and play process, they have asked for their own robots for Christmas. I am so thrilled to have something on their lists that I, as a mom, am also excited about.
The interaction with this toy really became a family experience that brought delight to all.
The 5 Benefits of Teaching Technology to Kids
Teaching Children STEAM Learning Prepares Them for Future Jobs
Our world is digital.
Architects these days use online programs like CAD to design homes.
If you compare what Disney was doing in 1950 to what Disney/Pixar is doing now, a technology background is essential for this modern day art form.
Surgeons can use robots and technology to operate on their patients.
Program developers and designers are getting jobs across our nation, and not just at Amazon or Apple.
Technology is our future. Whether your child is a future artist, scientist, nurse, accountant or pilot, their brains will need to be trained in a digital world. As parents, we need to help prepare them for that.
The choices you make now, in regards in embracing technology in smart ways, will impact your child’s grasp of this important subject. Mastery of technology will open up career opportunities for them.
Problem Solving is Developed When Children Learn How to Thoughtfully Interact with Technology
There are passive ways to connect with our devices. We should limit those and help our kids recognize technology pacifiers that hinder development.
However, there are ways to interact with our digital world that help develop the problem solving portion of our brains. To be thoughtful about the games, toys and devices in which our children engage is the answer.
Strategy games can be beneficial. TV shows that promote learning, character development and thinking through problems can help in childhood development.
Building toys help children as well. There is no reason why our building toys shouldn’t look different in the 21st center. The JIMU robot is a perfect example the benefits of technology.
The JIMU Robot relies on three steps – building, coding and playing.
The building portion works on spacial awareness, fine motor skills and problem solving. Children are given the 3D instructions within the JIMU app.
Once the robot is built, it is time to see what your robot can do through coding.
Coding is hugely reliant on the problem solving portion of the brain. If I want my robot to dab, for instance, how many degrees do I need to move the body and arms and in what order to make that happen?
You can code your robot to dance, pick things up or take any series of actions that involve movement, sounds, and lights. My husband and son loved working together to come up with new moves for his robot.
Playing involves creativity and imagination. Above you can see my son getting a hug from his robot. The smiles and enchantment are fun to watch.
He named his robot “Rock” because “he rocks.” You can see his imaginative brain spinning as he dreams up scenarios with Rock.
The free JIMU app gives a number of ways kids can play with their robot after the building is complete.
Technology is Engaging for Our Kids
Kids find the digital world engaging. Again, if we are thoughtful about what type of technology they are exposed to, our kids will have fun learning.
To observe children who are captured by intellectual pursuits in exciting. You watch the lights go on and the enthusiasm grow.
I always like to trick kids into learning. Through games, puzzles and our digital world, kids can have their brains maturing without it feeling like work.
As my son plays with his robot, for example, he has no idea that the building and coding skills he is developing are actually connecting brain pathways that benefit his reasoning skills.
One thing I particularly like about the JIMU Robot is that the engagement does not stop at building one robot. Many of their products have multiple robots you can make within the one purchase. Beyond that, kids can always use their imagination to create their own unique designs using the motors and parts provided.
Technology Can Be a Way to Develop Relationships
We often think of technology as an isolating experience. As parents, we can concerned about the false social interaction that can come through social media.
Embracing technology with our kids is all about learning to develop the positive side of the digital world.
Sometimes we need to recognize that our devices and digital toys are a different way to do the same kinds of things.
For example, you might sit down and play a board game with your spouse or kids. This is a traditional form of interaction.
To take it into the modern world, there have been nights where my husband and I lay side by side in bed and play a “board game” together on our phone. We play against one another, in the comfort of our bed while not needing to set up the pieces and sit at the dining room table.
There is still interaction. We are still talking and reacting when a move spoils our next move, but the medium has changed.
Watching my kids and husband engage and problem solve together while programing the JIMU Robot is another example of how families can work and play together around technology.
In the STEAM world, kids can do science, technology, engineering, art and math as team learning. Watching their brains play off of each other to do greater things is exciting for everyone involved. This social interaction buildings into relationships rather than detracts from them.
Even the social media and texting world can be a way to develop relationships, when done wisely. No, we never want social media to take away real interaction between human beings, but it can be a fun and interactive way to building into friendships.
Friends of mine have a big family – 11 kids! These 11 kids no longer live in the same place. They were doing a fun “check-in” with each other at random. When someone called for the check-in, everyone would snap a selfie of where they were in the moment.
These are just a few examples of how our digital world helps connect people.
Technology Can Help Build into the Confidence of our Kids
Learning, creativity, problem solving, expression, spacial awareness and development of talents can all happen through technology.
Kids gain confidence as they learn to persevere though the challenges that come when interacting with computers, robotics, mechanics and the scientific world.
As they master skills and continue to be challenged, they develop within themselves an independence that benefits their growth. The right forms of technology takes kids through a process of working from concept to actualization of ideas and understanding.
Technology also aids them in the independence to figure things out on their own. There is something about the process that makes them willing to try and try again until they get it work. The end result is not only a development of more mastery but also the confidence in their abilities to problem solve.
Embracing Technology
As a parent, don’t shy away from technology – just be smart about it.
To embrace technology through STEAM learning (science, technology, engineering, art and math) is a way for parents to learn to welcome in the future.
It is important to be intentional by establishing guidelines and boundaries as well as teaching our children discernment when it comes to technology. Finding positive ways to interact with our ever-changing world is the key.
The JIMU Robot is a smart way to expose our children to intelligent ways of the future – through building, problem solving, coding and creativity.
JIMU Robots make the perfect gift for all kids this holiday season. Be sure to check out ‘em out at Target!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Terrific post! As parents, we shouldn’t be afraid of tech; we should learn how to use it responsibly. And then teach our kids to do the same! Love all things coding and robots at our house!
I totally agree. It’s all about using our technology responsibly and wisely. Sounds like our kids would get along! Thanks for commenting!
I couldn’t agree more – teaching tech to kids is so important! I can’t wait for my little guy to be old enough for a JIMU Robot of his own (he is only 17 months now).
It’s so fun when they get a bit older. They toys just get more cool, and they can engage in more interesting games. I can’t imagine how the technology will get even cooler by the time he is old enough. The JIMU robot will end up cleaning his room. 😉