iPads for five-year-olds?

I don’t want my tax dollars used for another electronic device in the classroom, especially for five-year-olds. Having been an elementary teacher for over 23 years, I can tell you that they don’t need another electronic one-dimensional learning device to stimulate learning. It is not age appropriate, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Children are starting school with fewer fine motor skills — strong thumbs, poor dexterity — not able to hold a pencil, crayon or marker for any length of time, less ability to concentrate and certainly less world experience. Their perception of the world comes from a flat one-dimensional screen (tv, computer, miniature DVD screens, etc). They don’t have the experience of holding a book, turning pages in a book — only touching a screen or sitting and watching. There is a whole lack of participation, sharing and human touch.

If the school board just happens to have $200,000 laying around in this economy, then use it to put extra help (hands) in the classroom. Hire at least eight education techs to be in classrooms. Let those five-year-olds feel pats on their backs, a hand guiding their fingers while they learn to write their letters and numbers, a smile, a hug, — not a machine that flashes a smiley face and “Good Job.”

Sheryl Mathews, Auburn