Our feature this week is from Jitka at Okenko Books, who shares a refreshing perspective on the role technology plays (or does not play) in our daily life. Jitka has launched several book apps on the Android Market, and has a few in development for iTunes. As a new resident of the United States, Jitka and family are making strides in mobile app development for kids. After a day of hearing the buzz from Apple’s WWDC about how iPhone 4.0 is going to change the face of the earth, this timely article reminds us that the best FaceTime might just be gadget-free.
The other day a colleague of mine mentioned, “Sometimes I forget there is a whole world outside of an iPhone”. Yes, sometimes we forget there is a whole world beyond our iPhones, iPads, computers, cars, and cities. Indeed, there is nature.
Though I live in United States, I am not an American, and English is not my first language. We have lived in California for two years, and one of our family goals is to explore America’s well-known national parks, and not so well known state parks and open areas. I try to imagine what it must have been like for Native Americans when this land was just for their use, and wonder about the feelings of the first European settlers who traveled across the vast plains, high mountains, deep woods and wide rivers.
We went camping this weekend to Point Reyes in Northern California, which is a very nice and calm piece of land. We went to one of the huge, clean, natural, uncrowded beaches, and hiked in the nearby woods. I noticed how the children are not bored, even for a moment, on our hikes. Though we don’t really entertain them or spend intensive time with them, they are still entertained by their surroundings and eagerly gobble it up. All of the colors, smells, and sounds: sea rolling, wind howling, seagulls crowing, blue jays calling, trees whispering, mice squeaking, grass rustling (I am sure there is an app for that), and all of the big and little creatures living outside. Not once did the kids ask us for our phones or TV time.
Today is Monday, and we are all back to the usual weekday routines. I am working on Okenko Books and am happily immersed in the project.
The thing I wanted to point out in this article is that we should be aware that our applications are not the most important thing in the world. Rather, apps and gadgets are just handy tools that complement a genuine, unstructured experience for our kids, and we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously because there is a whole world to explore outside of apps.
I completely agree! As a mother of two young boys, I am really strict about how much time my kids get to play on gadgets. This includes our iPhones, iPad, iMac, TV and even my son’s Leapster. I’ve always felt that it’s especially important for young kids to get out and experience the real world rather than immerse themselves in the technology that increasingly surrounds us. It’s all about finding the right balance – making use of the technology that is available but not becoming a slave to it.
Jitka,
Thank you for this blog. We echo you completely!
A few weekends ago we took our kids to Hume Lake with NO 3G and WiFi. We soaked in the world through hiking and boating. Spent quality time with the kids and relatives.
Without internet we were forced to stay disconnected from Netflix, Youtube, iTunes, etc… “How do you explain no WiFi to a 4 year old?”
Though it sure was nice to have the iPod, iPhone, and iPad during down times to prevent cabin fever along with lots of board and card games… and Scrabble on the iPad was great until we hit the mountain roads and we had to stop or get car sick… “Keep your eyes forward!”.
All in all we were so inspired that now we are planning another camping trip!
Thank you,
Andy
Even though my husband and I produce apps, as sort of an “old timer,” I do not spend a lot of time using the iPhone or iPad. These devices still seem like gadgets to me, and I would rather spend time in my garden. Oh well.
It is refreshingly nice to read some reminders about balance and the natural treasures that make up the world around us (and the immediate connection healthy kids have to play and discovery)…that are sometimes forgotten in the hype around each new technological development. Many thanks, Jitka, for your perspective!
I am glad to hear that there is a lot of people aware of that our kids need a counterbalance in their hi-tech packed lives, sometimes it feels to me like fighting the windmills. Thanks for all the kind comments:)
What a lovely article Jitka! I myself just got back from a camping trip with the kids and it is important to remember just to get the kids out sometimes. Mom Maps is going to take a look at the state parks this summer – as they are facing hardship – I will put Point Reyes on the list!