IT short for information technology is becoming an increasingly important part of your child’s education. Children are familiar with the internet from a young age, but it’s important they know how to use it safely and correctly as well as learning other programmes such as desktop publishing packages. Your role as a parent is to back up and support what your child is learning in the classroom with real life experiences and practical examples.

 

What you can do

Most families have a computer at home but if you don’t, make use of free facilities available at your local library. Spend some time explaining what a computer is used for, perhaps telling them about how you use a computer at work, if this is applicable. Inform your child about the various applications computers are used for.

If possible buy programmes your child is using at school so they can practice in more depth at home. Additionally, if your budget allows, buy other learning programmes in other subjects such as maths and English so your child can learn two subjects at once.

Homework

IT isn’t taught in the first few years of school. However, as your child approaches the final few years of primary school, IT will be introduced into their school timetable. They could be set IT homework and it’s your job to enable them to fulfil their homework tasks either on your family computer or by taking them to the library.

Homework – in most cases – is supposed to be completed independently by your child, so let them get on with it themselves. However, you should ask how they are getting on, how their homework backs up what they are learning in class and what they are learning from their homework exercises. They may also get into difficulty; instead of solving the problems for your child, explain how they can solve them on their own. Simply telling your child the answer will hinder their personal development and they’ll actually end up struggling in class.

Internet education

The internet is, at the same time, both a gift and a curse. The wealth of information available in a matter of seconds is truly astounding; many jobs would simply not be available without it and learning about the wider world would be more difficult. It has brought communities together and help form friendships and bonds between people who have never met each other in real life. However, the internet and its unique way of connecting, informing and displaying can be abused and manipulated for purposes that are not only illegal but damaging and dangerous.

Your child is extremely impressionable, plus their young inquisitive brain is like a sponge, soaking up information from everywhere. They are naïve and easily fall prey to tricksters and criminals online. It is absolutely vital you have security measures installed on your home computer(s) to control the negative side of the internet. Controls include blocking sites deemed as adult or containing explicit content. Your browser will ask for a password to enter chat rooms and social network use can be monitored.

It’s also a good idea to position your computer in an open place where you can easily view the screen.

Activate your computer’s history bookmark so you can keep an eye on the sites your child is visiting.

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