Using Technology to Connect with Grandchildren

Children’s technology skills and time on devices can be good 

  Start by asking grandchildren to show you what they do on the computer which varies widely among families and ages. Inquire after you have taken a library computer course so you know what they are talking about and can use some of the vocabulary. Chromebook computers can cost under $200 and teens can set them up once you have the Internet.

Library Tech Classes

  There are so many classes at libraries taught by very patient people. This skill is just another challenge to meet, overcome, and embrace. Besides once grandparents take a class, learn the basics, and take good notes, grandchildren will teach the rest. Warn them ahead of time to be patient teachers. It is their turn.

  What should grandparents learn? How to use the Internet. Once on the Internet librarians will teach how to do some very fascinating searches for information and entertainment.

Keep in Touch

 You can set up and master e-mail.  Many accounts like g-mail are free. Then you can send messages once a week even to your college grandchildren. They will love the friendly words of wisdom, love, and a few bucks by old fashioned mail, too.

  You can learn how to use Face Time to see and hear grandchildren. It is free.

 Your family can also set up a private Facebook group for the immediate family. Keep a notebook for all of your passwords and notes. Let them know you will need help from time to time, fair warning.

  Many people now use Facebook 

Talk While Using Online Games and Devices 

for writing quick notes, clicking thumbs up, and sharing photographs.  Instagram is another place for photos. Let grandchildren know you want to be a part of their lives.  It is a lonely world sometimes if grandparents don’t know some of these basics. In addition to staying in touch with you, they will be staying in touch with cousins and extended families.

  With a little practice you can send out Internet Memes.  These are funny images or short videos like silly animal videos that little grandchildren will enjoy. You’ll never worry about your emails being unread if you send a funny video link.

  Talk with children while they show you how to play some games such as “Draw Something”, “Words with Friends”, “Ticket to Ride”,”Minecraft”, “Carcassonne”,  “Pokémon Go”, Sesame Street  and Lego games on their devices. Sites like Pinterest, Crafter, and You Tube are other sites to share activities and science with children. The khanacademy.org helps with all homework. Librarians will also share the dangers of the Internet’s “wild West”, also a part of technology, unfortunately.

 For more information, read this article summarizing a study following grandchildren and grandparents’ shared use of technology, Connecting Grandparents and Grandkids Through Technology  

Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

For more go to -  grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com and wnmufm.org/Learning Through the Seasons live Tuesdays at 4:30pm and Saturdays at 8:30 am and pod casts archived on the site.