Computer screens i-pods and interactive boards are to be banned in nurseries, schools and reception classes

I wrote recently about my decision not to have screens and 'interactive' boards in my settings and I got quite a lot of response...Some negative and some trying hard to justify the benefits of having them - in moderation and highly controlled.

I then had a little time to consider this (boring story about dodgy knee) and started to reflect on the issue in a more holistic way. What did we do before computers? An old adage that then takes us on to before TV, before radio... Well, just suppose Leonardo da Vinci had parents who allowed him to spend most of his time on computers - or told him what to watch and when to - or his tutors gave him a strict curriculum and sat him inside and not allow him to start anything new until he had completed what he had started....

I am satisfied that TV and computers and phones have changed the way we are - eating in isolation (in front of TV) - not thinking about spelling because spell check does it for you (and it 'understands' so bare and bear are oft misused) or you text and get even more confusing. Socialising is thumb based - and you invite friends round to 'play' on screens without any personal interaction. And if you want to remember anything Google does it for you!
Is that what I want? Is it what you want? In our profession we need to consider how to complement this new world and provide balance. Personal challenge, personal contact, physical activity, sharing and comparing developing care and compassion.

Lets invent, explore, compare and share. Let's not rely on others - let's read books and encourage, let's use our languages to provide a real balance. I know some will say that we need to give children the opportunity to benefit from technology. I agree - but let's get the first years of developing caring and creative brains done first - then they will be more discriminating and share technology with drawing and dancing and running and all the other things they develop when screens etc are not available..

So they won't figure in my education world until children are at least 7.... Shame not everyone can see it...