Toddler Techies

Now days it seems like kids are born with a mouse in their hand. It’s amazing how this new generation takes to technology so naturally. My 4-year-old daughter hasn’t yet learned how to tie a shoe, but she can navigate a computer better than some adults. As parents our job is to make sure our children’s exposure to these gadgets and gizmos is both safe and educational.

Kaila has already mastered the basics of many electronic gadgets like the VCR, DS, PC and iPhone. While playing on our computer, she is able to use the mouse quite dexterously. She knows how to turn the sound on and off, go to Google.com and look up lighthouse images, navigate her favorite Web sites in order to play educational games, and she loves to dance in front of the web cam and make silly videos on the recorder.

Setting restrictions for safety online is very important for children who use the computer. We set up a separate profile on our computer for Kaila to use that has access to the Internet and our files mostly blocked. She is allowed to go to approved sites under our supervision only. We never allow her to be alone on the computer. I think monitoring your child’s computer and Internet access is crucial at all ages and especially for teenagers.

I used to cringe when my husband allowed Kaila to play around on his iPhone. It got to a point when she was asking to “play games on Daddy’s phone” on a daily basis. Then I realized that this could be a lifesaver when she got antsy waiting in a busy restaurant or a public meltdown was about to ensue. I can let her play on my phone for a few minutes, and this helps to calm her down or keep her occupied momentarily.

Some may worry that children who spend too much time in front of a screen have an increased risk of obesity, attention deficit disorders, aggression problems and a difficult time making friends. These are valid concerns. I believe moderation is key. Personally I would never let my child play violent video games (no matter what age) or I'd make sure they learn how to disengage from technology. Nothing can compare to outside play, creative art projects, or important academic ventures and homework, but technology can be incorporated into a child’s education and utilized as a collaborative tool. Playing together with your child on the computer while asking questions can be a fun way to fit in a teaching lesson.

When I was young, personal computers were just starting to enter homes. Now technology is a seamless part of our everyday life. With a push of a button we can view a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, discover how our solar system works or find out how a computer chip is manufactured. Teaching our children how to be safe and responsible in this high-tech world is something that must be taught from an early age. We cannot deny the fact that most of us adults are gaga for gadgets, and our children will be the ones designing the iPhone 20.