technology and the 4 year old

I have a real aversion to technology. However, it's very much a part of our lives and who can avoid it? We can't live without it here. However, I've tried to keep a very mild approach to the techonology that runs loose in this house. The i-pod is a source of entertainment for us. But this bothered me for some time. Especially when I let Tilly play a game (she only has educational things on there) and I found her searching You Tube! Nothing really can be off limits to them if they can get into You-tube. So now the i-pod is kind of offlimits to her bar a few things and always always she is within my reach while on it.

A list of Tilly's favourite i-pod items:

Cbeebies podcast. This is basically childrens media from the BBC and we know of it thanks to Paula and Sarah. But I've recently discovered their radio podcast. It's great and she loves to listen to it. There is up to 3 and up to 6. They do stories, and music. It's a great listen. And great exposure to the British accent. Though she gets that here anyway, though not so varied.

Sesame Street - The word on the street. This podcast is excellent viewing and she's learned many a new word from here. Including, metamorphosis, dozen, habitat, etc. All things that I can work through with her further.

Dr. Charles Stanley - Intouch Ministries, Audio Pocast. Tilly actually requests to listent to Dr. Charles. I find it odd, but I love it. This just goes to show that your children are so heavily influenced by what you are doing and reading and listening to. Sometimes the girls even go to sleep listening to his sermons. At Tilly's request.... not my doing.

Skype. Our most valuable resource and our link to Nan and Pop. Plus she's also used it to talk to her friends in Japan. Free or cheap phonecalls overseas. Sometimes she'll make something or have a dance move she's recently learned in ballet class that she wants to show with Nanny and Poppy and they are only a video call away now thanks to the Skype application on the i-pod.

And another thing she loves is to listen to audio CD's. In particular, The Secret Garden. Which was mummy's favourite book growing up as a girl. I can't wait to share my copy of the full version with her that I've still got when she's older.

And then for your more general TV viewing there is the Wiggles and Australian Playschool on the Australia Network. Her other favourites include, her Justine Clarke CD - highly recommended. And her circle songs CD. Hopefully we can keep a handle on this whole technology thing and it won't be the dominating force in her life growing up.......