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From our Kids Technology Expert and columnist, Tyronne Curtis
How Young Is Too Young For Technology?
Listings for everyone in every family! OCTOBER Sat 3 Oct Monster Jam® 2015 (Nathan) They’re 3.5m tall, weigh almost 5000kg and can fly – what are they? Monster Jam trucks of course! Monster Jam is roaring into Brisbane this October, bringing the superstars of the monster truck world for Monster Jam ® 2015, a huge national tour set to be the loudest, most action-filled show this town has ever seen! Bookings essential. www.monsterjamonline.com.au Fri 9 – Sun 18 Oct Oktoberfest Brisbane 2015 (Bowen Hills) There’s no need to trip up and down the coast for family fun. For two weekends in October, the only theme park you need is themed German! The Oktoberfest Tent is the place for all your bell-ringing, yodelling and dancing to the band, the German Connections Tent with its stage shows and displays of all things German, and the Kinder-Zone is full of fun even if you’re not a kid! www.oktoberfestbrisbane.com.au Oktoberfest Brisbane 2015
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recent study has suggested giving babies iPads as soon as they are born. They believe it can stimulate their mind in ways traditional books cannot with interactive components which allow newborns to be swiping up and down in no time! This obviously goes against previous studies which have suggested that this type of interaction with screens could be ultimately damaging to a young person's social behaviour. One does have to wonder the validity in both sides of the studies when the device in question has been around for no longer than five years. As a tech enthusiast I struggle to say a negative word about gadgets as I see how much joy it can bring to the world. However, iPads and babies seems a tad much. I understand that they function as a great distraction, which is a fantastic tool to have up your sleeve as a parent. Yet I fail to see how this will prepare them for tomorrow's world by learning how to interact with touch devices at such a young age.
Sat 10 & Sun 11 Oct Brisbane Open House (Various Locations) Children love to explore their world and the Brisbane Open House 2015 Children’s Program offers kids the chance to experience life as an architect, archaeologist, fire fighter, dentist, performer and much more. Children will also enjoy the free Brisbane Open House Children’s activity booklet, which is full of amazing sketches and activities by some of Brisbane’s best architects, landscape architects, artists and companies. http://brisbaneopenhouse.com.au Brisbane Open House
I think we are in the current dark ages for technology; the next step will be much brighter. Hopefully the kids that are being born today will not be burdened by having to reach into their pocket to access the digital world; instead it will simply be all around them - an augmented layer of awesome!
About the Writer Tyronne Curtis is the founder and director of Activate Entertainment and believes technology and creativity is going to be a big part of tomorrow’s generation and wants to be a part of ensuring they are ready for it. Activate Entertainment run fun & interactive workshops & afterschool classes to help children be more active when using technology. Check out the opportunities for your children. www.activateentertainment.com.au tyronne@ activateentertainment.com.au
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Your Local Families Magazine – Brisbane Issue 12 - October/November 2015
Sun 11 Oct Red Tent Australia Meet and Greet Family Picnic (Spring Hill) Come along and find out more about the Red Tent Australia movement. Bring the whole family for fun and connection with the community! You will be able to meet all of the RTA facilitators and find out our exciting upcoming events and programs. Crafts and activities for the children by donation. 11am – 2pm. www.redtentaustralia.org