Love That Internet!

As far as I am concerned, the internet is a wonderful invention.  When I was growing up, if we needed to know something we had to use the encyclopedia, the card catalog, and the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature.  Now, if I need to know something, it is at my fingertips.  Where did John Wayne say, "A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do"?  Google  Need a recipe for coconut cookies?  Ask  Don't know how to go to Naples?  Mapquest 

This year I used Google a number of times.  When I loved the fire roasted tomatoes that I had purchased (with a downloaded coupon for $1 off per can), I found directions for roasting my own on the grill.  I purchased a half bushel of roma tomatoes and roasted them on my grill.  When I needed window coverings for the large window in my back room, I found excellent directions for making Roman shades.  (I still haven't made them, but I have excellent directions.)  When I needed a new knitting project I checked out the free patterns, and when the Exercise on Demand channel closed down, I found free yoga downloads.

As an early childhood teacher, I have used the internet to find lesson plan ideas, words to songs and poems, and low cost used books.  As with everything else, however, anyone who is looking for program ideas must remember that just because it is on the internet doesn't mean that it is a good idea.  Many on-line lesson plans are made by people who have little training in child development.  When a lesson idea starts with the words, "This is a cute idea...", it is usually a signal to look elsewhere.  One of my favorite examples is from a page of "cute" Christmas ideas.  It involved having the children make their own nativity scene.  The children were to take a cupcake paper, put chocolate pudding in it, and sprinkle shredded wheat over the top.  This made a manger.  The children were then to put the baby Jesus on the manger.  I forget exactly what Jesus was (I probably blocked it out), but I believe that it was something along the lines of a peanut.  Once the manger was done, the children could eat it - Jesus and all.  I don't know if I am the only one that finds the project a little creepy, and of course it is not developmentally appropriate, but it will never be done where I am directing. 

The internet is full of exciting, helpful information. It is also full of nonsense. Before you use something from it, make sure that you evaluate it for appropriateness, safety, and just plain common sense. The internet is a powerful tool. Just remember, as a wise man said, "Use it well, young Skywalker".