Families are a child’s first teacher as children begin learning at a young age, especially through hands-on play experiences. With technology so popular in today’s world, Regional Office of Education #33 Pre-School Family Educator Rebecca Petentler says balancing screen time with true play is very important:
“It is 2025, so screens aren’t going anywhere, and they can be very meaningful, but it is important to have a balance of true play, playing with blocks, playing with different kitchen toys and items, and just really being engaged with your child. At the pre-school level, what we are seeing is they become so focused and so attached to those screens that they are trying to learn self-regulations, trying to calm down, but it can be harder because they have become so regulated to their screen instead of just becoming regulated to their parent or just learning that within themselves.”
The Regional Office of Education partners with pre-school programs throughout Henderson, Knox, Mercer, and Warren Counties.
