Tots go high tech
Filed under: Lifestyle, 6-7 years, Toddler, Preschooler, Computers, Monitoring your kids, iPods, Video Games
When Ellie was about three years old, she began playing learning games on my computer. These games were made for kids her age and I was blown away at how quickly she learned to use a mouse and navigate her way around the programs. Fast forward four years and she's a computer pro. She can log herself on and figure out what to do when something goes wrong.Ellie's Christmas wish list includes several gadgets and games for the computer and she's not alone. According to this article, children as young at 2 are leaving dolls and toy cars behind and instead asking for high-tech toys from Santa.
But three-year-olds with iPods and Internet access has some child psychologists concerned that these types of toys don't encourage the same kind of imagination that a set of Lego's or a baby doll does. I agree - dressing up Barbie online is very different than dressing up Barbie in person. But I don't believe online play and high-tech toys are completely without value and do allow Ellie to do it. But like television and sweets, it is all about moderation.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments