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Whether it's electronic
toys (e-toys) that play music and recite the alphabet or the family's computer
and television center, technology in one form or another is a part of a child's
daily life. Thus, it should come as no surprise that some 3-year-olds know how
to play a DVD of their beloved "Wiggles" all by themselves or that
they can hop on the family computer and use it to create and print pictures for
mommy and daddy.
Even though high-tech toys
and computers are quickly being integrated into playtime, many parents wonder
when, exactly, is the right time to introduce them to their tots. Furthermore,
some parents question whether toddler-geared gadgets, gizmos, and glitzy toys
truly offer the promised additional learning value—or if the tried and true
traditional toys (such as, blocks, stacking rings, sandboxes, dolls, wagons,
etc.) are preferable for promoting healthy play and enhancing basic motor skill
development.
Electronic
vs. traditional toys
The issues of e-toys versus
traditional toys and when to introduce technology to children are highly debated
topics. Research suggests that some e-toys and computer programs offer
opportunities for healthy learning (including toys and programs that teach
children how to count, sing nursery rhymes, and identify colors and shapes) and
imagination (toys that encourage children to compose music). Some computer
programs also promote collaborative play through group problem-solving and
dialogue between children. Some psychologists believe that in today's wired
world, it's important to help children prepare for life in the electronic age
and that it's never too early to introduce technology to the young mind.
In an article titled Do
Toddlers Need High-Tech Toys? Dr. Erik Strommen, head of research and
development for Microsoft's Interactive Toy Group, says: "Children's lives
are now highly mediated by electronics, and for kids to feel confident in the
modern high-tech world, their toys need to reflect the complexity of that
world."
Dr. William Staso, child
psychologist and author of Brain Under Construction, says that even the
youngest children can benefit and learn from computer software and electronic
toys. "Presenting infants with information that can expand their knowledge
base can have a positive effect on their developing intelligence," he says.
In his research, Staso concludes that the greater the number and variety of
words infants hear before age one, the higher their IQs will be.
However, that doesn't
necessarily mean that children's toy boxes need to be filled solely with toys
that "speak." Reading and talking with your child yields similar
results, while also promoting bonding between parent and child.
In fact, some experts
contend that electronic toys can have negative side effects, such as promoting
short attention spans, discouraging social interaction and hampering creative
play because of the limited and repetitive nature of the toy.
"When children become
accustomed to toys that channel them into acting in a certain way, they begin to
expect all toys to tell them what to do, and toys that are open-ended can seem
boring and uninteresting," say Diana Levin and Barbara Rosenquest, authors
of the study Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood.
Additionally, some
researchers do not recommend that children under 3 years old use computers.
Young children tend to learn best through their whole bodies (eyes, ears,
mouths, hands, and legs), and some researchers note that computers do not help
children with many of the developmental skills they need to master—including
crawling, walking, talking, and making friends.
Psychiatrist Michael Brody,
who serves on the media committee of the American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry, explains in one study that he believes babies and
children need to experience the "real world" far more than the
monotony and isolation of computer screens. "Children need to interact with
their parents, not machines," he says.
The best
of both worlds
Regardless of what side of
the fence—or in the middle—a parent might be on when it comes to choosing
toys for their children, most experts seem to at least agree on one thing:
Healthy play and exploration are crucial for children.
So whether your youngsters
prefer traditional toys, electronic toys, or both, it's important that they
learn to experiment and explore. The best toys are those that actively engage
children, physically and mentally. And, playtime activities should encourage the
development of both gross and fine motor skills.
Gross motor skills are
those that build kids' large muscle groups and come from the physical activities
kids do naturally— crawling, running, jumping, and climbing. The stretching
and strengthening of muscles in early childhood lead to other refined—or
fine-motor skills, such as grasping and pinching, which are needed to hold a
crayon, use a computer mouse, or cut with scissors.
Children need both gross
and fine motor abilities to hold themselves upright, make eye contact and sit
for lengths of time when learning such skills as reading and writing once they
are in school.
"Our children love to
play on the family computer," says a mother of a five- and two-year-old.
"But we aim to strike a balance between good old-fashioned play and
21st-century play," she says. "We do allow computers and electronic
toys into our children's day, but we also encourage hands-on play, such as
drawing and coloring, building with blocks, and playing on the swing set.
"If parents decide to
weave e-toys and computers into their child's day, here are a few rules to help
keep tech-time in check:
-
Let your children
find their own comfort levels. It's better not to pressure your children
into playing with a specific toy if they seem disinterested. For instance,
some babies and toddlers might not like a stuffed bear that sings nursery
rhymes and has blinking lights, yet other children might love it and learn
to sing along.
-
Let your children
decide which toys work best for them.
If your kids want to use the family computer, steer them to age-appropriate
software and assist them so they don't get overly frustrated and
discouraged. Many of the interactive early-learning software packages offer
opportunities for children to learn basic literacy and math skills.
-
Make computer time a
time for family. The computer should not be considered a babysitter, but
rather another opportunity for parents and children to play together. Use
this time to have your children show you what they've learned and how to
navigate through a computer program.
-
Take a technology
timeout. Just like adults, children need down time too. And with the
increasing number of toys that play music and emit sounds, kids can easily
become over stimulated. Don't be afraid to turn off the noisy toys or
computer, and encourage your children to read, draw, play with finger
paints, or simply take a walk with you while you point out the wonders of
nature (leaves falling, bees pollinating flowers, spiders building webs,
etc.)
While both electronic and
classic toys arguably can aid your child in fun educational play, the important
thing is for parents to be involved in play time. So find the time to get on the
floor and build with blocks or hold your child on your lap while you both
navigate through a toddler-friendly computer program.
SIDEBAR
Noisy
toys can hurt young ears
Do you find yourself
plugging your ears every time your toddler's toy cell phone rings or the siren
on his toy fire truck goes off? These noisy toys might be doing more than just
giving you a headache. They can actually be harming your child's little ears
because they exceed the decibel—or noise-level that can cause permanent
hearing loss.
To better understand noise
level, here's a quick measurement: A quiet library is approximately 20 decibels,
the din in an average restaurant is 40-50 decibels, and a hair dryer typically
is 70-80 decibels.
In a special report titled The
Danger of Loud Toys, researchers explain that noise exposure above 85
decibels poses a threat to young ears, and repeated exposure can lead to hearing
loss.
Because there are no
federal regulations governing the noise levels of toys, it's up to parents to
protect their little one's ears. Before buying a toy, parents should take a
listen. If it seems too loud when held up to your own ear, it also will be too
loud for your child.
If you already have noisy
toys at home, here are a few tips to help buffer the noise levels. Cover
speakers with masking tape or remove the batteries all together, don't allow
children to place noisy toys close to their ears, and, if possible, place loud
toys on carpeted surfaces to help absorb some of the noise.
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