Just over a week ago, while I was sleeping in, seven-year-old Vivian wrote and self-published a book. It was Sunday. My husband had left for work, William was watching cartoons, and Vivian was bored. Because I’m a good mother and had been out until 1 a.m., I told her to go play computer games. I turned over and went back to dreamland.
One hour later, when I shuffled into our office to inspect the silence, I saw this.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“I’m making a book,” Vivian answered.
“How did you do that?” I asked.
“Well,” she explained, “I took a piece of coloured paper and folded it a certain way. Then I ripped it here.” She unfolded the book to show me. “And then I folded it a special way.”
I was lost after step one. “How did you learn how to do that?”
“I watched a video,” she said.
“A video?” I asked.
“On the computer,” she said.
“How did you find a video?” I asked.
“I googled it.”
“You what?”
“I googled it. You know, that empty box in the corner?” She pointed to google rectangle at the side of the screen.
“What word did you google?”
Vivian said, “’How to make books.’”
I nodded, still processing that my Grade One kid knew how to search and had started to use Google as a verb.
“The first one I clicked on and watched wasn’t very good,” she said. “They used thread. And I knew I couldn’t use thread by myself.”
“Right.” I shifted, listening intently.
“So I watched the next one. At first I watched it just to enjoy it. Then I watched it again to see all the steps. Then I watched it three more times while I was making it.”
“Right,” I said.
“Then I had to write a story to go on the book.”
“That makes sense,” I added.
“So I did that in Word.”
“Word?” I asked.
“Ya, it’s where you type stories.”
“Right. How did you learn that?”
“In computers at school. I changed the font size too and made it bold.”
“Right.”
“Are you going to put this on your blog?” Vivian asked.
“I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe.”
She smiled. “Do you like it?”
“I do. It’s amazing. Mommy’s just a little surprised you figured all this out on your own.”
She smiled again. “Let’s go downstairs,” she said and walked out of the room.
“Right,” I said, before following.
*
In case you’re interested, this is the video Vivian watched:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaP3vXiioJk]
*
Come back Wednesday for Part 2 of this story, “Kids Using Google: The Cons,” when I’ll share what Vivian googled (and discovered) yesterday morning. Sigh.
I love Vivian and your “Right” responses have me laughing out loud, which would be okay if I weren’t in my cubicle at work supposedly working on very serious reports. Also, it’s hilarious that she asked if you’re going to blog this! Sounds just like my kids – maybe they’ll start a support group at some point. “Hi my name is Vivian (David, Emily, Hellcat, Monkey, Tackler, etc.) and I’m the child of a blogger.”
I’m envisioning a reality series, Amy.
You’re right, Amy. I suspect Vivian (and others) will start a blog community, “Children Scarred by Parent Bloggers.” Sigh.
Vivian, you are a genius!! I am hoping to try this with my grade 5 class during these last insane days of school when “regular” learning tends to fly out the window! Thanks again, and have a terrific summer. PS to Leanne: you always knock yourself as a mom….well, pat yourself on the back for creating this creative, independent child! Wow.
LYNN KIRK – Moose Jaw
Actually, that is a good student activity. Hmm.
And thanks for the kudos, Lynn. I’m pretty sure Vivian came out of the womb that way though!
Wow, my bloggy friends are really bringing it today! Love this story. So sweet. I had a similar experience a few months back with a 9 year old and origami. Go YouTube! Kids are so savvy these days. When I speak to teachers & parents I explain how we’re seeing the first generation that doesn’t need authority to get answers. This story is a perfect example.
You’re so right and this is such a shift in education, hardly anyone seems to be noticing, much less changing education in response. Our whole system is geared up with the teacher as the authority; nowadays no one knows who the authority is. Vivian sounds brilliant – way to go!! There are lots of pro’s of the internet…. blogging? discovery, solution finding……
Clay and Fiona,
Great points. I think we’re standing on something pretty big. Likely the biggest shift in education since the printing press and then (eventually) industrialization. Clay, I bow to you on this, Mr. History, but I do know there’s a lot of potential. Everyone’s so worried about this stage, but there is so much that’s instinctive to kids. If we can help them direct and guide their own learning, then we can start to see the power of technology in teaching and learning.
Our children are amazing, aren’t they? Monkey has been Googling for years. He is totally my Tech Guy. For real. He knows everything. When the router went down the other night, Monkey realized it was because Husband had been using the clippers earlier in the day and blown a fuse. He figured out that these events were connected. I wasn’t home, so I didn’t know about the fuse. That little dude also figured out how to make videos of himself making weapons out of K’Nex to a site called Instructables. WHich meant he created a Gmail account. Which meant he lied about his age. Better keep an eye on that one. 😉
I’m so excited for you. Vivian is writing books. Where do you think she got THAT idea? 😉 *weep*
I love Monkey. Weapons out of K’Nex? How cool is that? I think I’ve vacuumed up half of our set. William might be able to make a sword out of what we have left. A very small sword.
this is just the appetizer for how she will continue to outpace you throughout her life. I have to constantly remind myself of that, when my kids do things I think they are too young to do.
What a smart girl and that’s a great reflection on her supercool parents
I suspect (and hope) you’re right: that she will outpace me throughout her life. It seems like she was just learning to tie her shoes. Wait a minute. She doesn’t know how to do that.
Fun! She’s a pro already… what are you going to do when she gets older? I have often underestimated what kids know, but I’m quickly learning (through my nephews) to challenge them and expect great things from them.
As long as she doesn’t google “how to annoy your mother.”
I’m going to go hide under a table now. Terrifying. Awesome. (Can she teach me how to use my mobile phone? Because that thing seriously hurts my brain.)
I got an iPhone that I am reluctant to put in my kids’ hands (I’ve only had it a few weeks). Maybe I should, though…
Ok, so that’s awesome. Kids pick up on everything don’t they?
Except picking up their toys. I might ask them to google that.
Like Amy, I can just hear your responses. Just like Bill Cosby – “Riiiiiight”! I am constantly surprised by my grandkids and how computer literate they are.
Yes! Cosby’s conversation between God and Noah. A brilliant piece of comedy.
Here’s the link, if anyone wants to watch it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0KHt8xrQkk
OMGosh Bill captured my imaginary rendition of you saying ‘Riiiight’ just like Bill Cosby…only more girly. 🙂
What a clever little lady Vivian is! I love the colour of her book. You know, not everyone can figure how to do stuff following a video so she’s a smart cookie in my ‘book.’ (you should see me with my 6 band puzzle ring and multiple 12 tabs open with various ‘how to videos’).
Believe it or not, my DD1 did her first PPT (PowerPoint Presentation) in Grade 2 so lets see that’s circa 2003/2004. I came in to see that one let me tell you and it was great…she only lost 1 mark for hiding behind the project too often and not ‘engaging her audience’ – that was one switched on, modern teacher she had.
Nervously waiting for Wednesday’s Part II
A PowerPoint in Grade 2? Wow.
Yes, Vivian found a collection of scrapbook paper (in her craft cupboard) that my husband had purchased at a garage sale. Because I certainly don’t scrapbook…sigh.
Tomorrow you’ll wake up and she’ll be able to speak a foreign language she learned by watching a video off of Google.
J’espere!
Vivian is amazing. I’m speechless. And she is awesome.
She is. And psycho independent…
Children are so amazing with technology. It seems to be natural for them.
Wish I had this video back when I was in K, making a book from a cereal box and duct tape. Really fun! I’ll have to do this with my kids. Tell vivian thanks.
LOL. I’ll tell Vivian. I know. I’m not crafty, but I think I could make this. After all, it requires ripping. I can rip paper.
Maybe not…
Can I put Vivian on retainer? Does she have a hotline or something? Dang.
Hellcat constantly has my phone taking pictures, playing Angry Birds (damn you, no-good pigs), and generally getting into layers of things that I didn’t even no existed. They’re freaks.
They are freaks. Laughing at image of Hellcat playing Angry Birds…
Wow. I feel like my kids won’t need me once they figure out how to type. I hope computers never learn how to cook or else I’m screwed. lol.
LOL. I’ll be happy when my kids learn to cook.
Am a bit worried about what Wedneday will bring but am awed by V”s git-er-done attitude.
I love that google is now lowercase and a verb.
I know. I love how malleable the English language is.
Oh, and I love Amy’s support group idea: My name is ____and I’m the child of a blogger.
Ha!
Indeed!
i can’t believe i paid so much to self-publish the first time around when all i had to do was google and watch that video. vivian was 2 then, you’d think she could have given me a heads up…
she’s awesome. i so can’t wait for wednesday.
LOL. But you were ahead of the crowd self-publishing five years ago. A trailblazer.
That is seriously amazing! One time I walked into the kitchen to see Dickie cooking Ramen in the microwave… he was like, 3 at the time… Dang kids!
Wow. Dinner by Toddler. My kids like to hang from the microwave door. Yup. We’re on our second one.
Pretty sure I couldn’t have made that even with the video. Go Vivian!
I know. It’s 7 minutes! I would have ignored it based on length.
Well done, Vivian!
😀
Brilliant. Just brilliant. I say take all kids between the ages of 7 and 17 and let them lead our technology initiatives.
Or at the very least, man Tech Support on every Help Desk we rely on most.
You’re on to something. They have the right “What if” questions and aren’t afraid of the answer.
WOW! Barring the obvious about googling and so on, I love that she went digital to create something totally analog. Ah the Internets.
Nicely put. Digital for analog. Love that!
that is incredibly cool. your kid will run the planet someday.
i’d say i use google as follows:
67% spellcheck
17% how to do something
14% finding something i once read
2% narcissistic reasons
She might, but this blog will likely hold her back.
Laughing at your stats.
I’d add: identifying songs/lyrics.
I just made a book with my six-year-old twins. They want to tell you stuff…
Dear Lady who told Mommy how to make a book,
“Thank you for helping us learn how to make a book. We are making a book for our Daddy now.” Girl Twin.
“Thank you for helping us build a book. We are going to make a book for our Daddy now, because he’s a hard worker. And I hope you have a very nice time building all your fun books.” Boy Twin.
“Thanks for the great idea!” Stressed-out mommy grateful for a SIMPLE craft idea.
Christi Corbett
That is so sweet, Christi!
Vivian is awesome. I always feel like my kids should be like her, all over that computer, but they’re not. They’re always asking me for help, which is kind of a bad idea.
LOL
I love this, Leanne…I really wish they’d had computers when I was Vivian’s age…I was always doing things that I read about in books…
I wrote a post last year for family members of bloggers: http://writerwoman61.wordpress.com/2010/09/02/how-to-be-featured-in-the-blog-a-guide-for-family-members/
Wendy
Books: how old school! 😀