Meet the Machines: Helping Children Understand the Tech Around Them 🤖

#ParentingInsight #StrategySaturday

TLDR: This week in our Digital & AI Literacy Month, we explored: What is technology? What can computers do? Where do we see them in daily life? We read, reflected, typed, drew, laughed, and even made a tech agreement. The goal? Raising children who understand and use tech with wisdom—not just instinct.

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Biblical Inspiration:

"Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." — Deuteronomy 11:19

God’s wisdom isn’t confined to Sunday school or bedtime prayers. It’s in typing lessons, screen-time conversations, and giggles over microwave buttons. When we teach our children to understand the tech around them, we’re doing exactly what this verse invites—discipling in the middle of life. Even when that life includes Canva and kitchen timers.

What Worked for Us:

We ran two parallel tracks—one focused on Tech Wisdom Principles (our values anchor), and the other on books and discovery-based learning.

Here’s what surprised and delighted us this week:

• The children were so into the books about how tech works—especially the “then and now” comparisons and illustrated stories.

• Typing in a word processor and drawing in Canva felt like premium access—because they usually see tech as phones and games.

• Our kitchen timer kept us on track... until the children begged for more time. (Bribery via homework reflection may or may not have occurred 😅)

• They now see computers everywhere—from microwave panels to the car dashboard!

Our Favorite Wrap-up Moments:

📋 They listed every computer-powered device in our home.
📝 Each child drew or wrote their weekly takeaway in our Living Wisely With Tech tracker.
🤝 We started our Family Tech Agreement—a shared commitment to wise tech use.

Next week, we’re diving into Smart Tools & AI. It’s taking prep on my end, but it’s worth it. These family classes are becoming a highlight of our week.

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Action Step:

If you haven’t yet, set aside time to explore “What is a computer?” with your children. Keep it simple. Let curiosity lead. Ask:

• Where do we see computers around us?

• What can they do?

• How can we use them in ways that honor God and serve others?

Don’t worry if you’re not “techy.” You’re building connection and laying a foundation for wise use.

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📚 Books We Reviewed & Liked (Child-Approved!)

✅ Technology Then and Now by Cynthia O’Brien – Simple and engaging

✅ Computers from Then to Now by Angie Smibert – Clear and visual

✅ Phones from Then to Now by Angie Smibert – Fun historical snapshots

✅ Hello Ruby series by Linda Liukas – Creative and interactive

✅ Gabi’s If/Then Garden by Caroline Karanja – Playful coding intro

✅ Adi Sorts with Variables by Caroline Karanja – Smart and relatable

✅ Adi's Perfect Patterns and Loops by Caroline Karanja – Great for logic

✅ How Computers Work by Nancy Dickmann – Straightforward and curious-friendly

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What’s one tech-related question your child has asked lately—or that you wish they would? Let me know in the comments👇 or contact me.