When would you introduce your child to electronics? It's an essential skill nowadays, but until they can read they won't get much out of it. I'd be worried about causing short sight or having trouble getting them outside to play if I introduced tablets too early. On the other hand, bright lights, colours, and noises always attract children, and there are plenty of children's toys with electronic components that aren't full tablets.
My daughter has a tablets where I downloaded a couple of learning games and some of her favorite shows. Although she owns one she preferes playing and jumping around and only uses it an hour max when I have to do something so she can stay seating for a while so she won't get hurt. This usually happens when she is all tired up though.
My nephew learned to use a smartphone at an early age. He was 2 years old when he started using smartphones. He spent most of his time watching videos on YouTube, more of them are educational though. He also loves playing games. The good thing about it is that he was able to learn a lot because of exploring things on the web and by watching nursery rhymes and educational videos on YouTube, he learned how to talk. However, the bad thing about it is that he got addicted to it that he don't sleep at night, will stay up all night because he's still playing or watching. And when the smartphone's battery is drained, he'll just charge it and switch phones. His mom and dad can't do anything about it since he'll cry out loud and be stubborn once scolded or put to sleep when he still does not want to.
This does not really have a direct answer I'd think. In my own view as from the age of three kids may be introduce to electronics with some control. Over indulgence in phones, ipads or computers at such tender age may not be too good for their sight in order for them not develop acquired short sight. I'll be glad to introduce them to electronics to boost their learning and for a short play.
I have noticed the toddler of our laundrywoman playing with a tablet. She is only 2 years old and had already broken 3 tablets already. I don’t think it is good to introduce electronic items to toddlers. That young age is the formative years where the child should be aware of the surroundings. Gadgets are not like television because television has no control. A toddler may develop a different approach to life when the child thinks that he can get control over everything.
babies are easily attracted to the devices such as mobile phone, tablets, computers, and television. The only reason that I can think about this attraction is "flickering colors" These devices displays graphics in vivid colors and babies are always attracted towards color. I have found babies as young as 6 months enjoy watching video on phone, computer or tv. You should never let the babies unattended when they are enjoying electronic devices
The perfect answer as to when to introduce them to electronics is this: never. Electronics are harmful to the mind and body. They should never be given or taught to minors, though it's not a perfect world....
Sadly every school in our area requires homework to be done online once the child learns to read and write. I don't think they even teach cursive anymore, so that's a skill I am going to have to teach instead. This focus on everything online reminds me of some of my parents' generation, who didn't learn to read because of trendy teaching and had to relearn as an adult when it was harder.
I think the key problem isn't the fact that electronics are being used, but that toddlers become dependent and reliant on them for entertainment to the point where alternatives options (playing with other toddlers, reading, telling stories etc.) seem less appealing. There's also another issue when parents become dependent and reliant on tablets to replace time that should be spent together. The fact of the matter is that electronics - tablets, computers, the internet - they're all huge parts of our world now, and they're only going to integrate further with our daily lives as time goes on. A lot of this is great, there are a lot of benefits these new pieces of technology have to offer us that can better and enrich our lives. But there are drawbacks as well. In the same way we should be taught to make the most of them (I think programming should be taught in schools) we also need to pay attention not to become dependent and reliant on them, replacing more meaningful and fulfilling things life has to offer, like spending time with those you love.
Pretty much what you said @James McAllister. Electronics are not bad and I do not want my kids to be tech-excluded, but they should be considered as a bonus, a prize we have when we behave good, and not something we use as a routine because that is bad and causes addiction. We should not give up on telling stories, playing, going to the street and so on and on. Using electronic devices should be limited in time.
Many children have grown up to be great inventors and tinkerers at a young age because they were introduced to technology earlier. Technology is only bad for the mind and body when the use of electronics and active play is not balanced. Technology is the source that has made our life easier. If all children were prevented from using electronics, we wouldn't have as many great inventions as we do now.
This has always been an issue that has fascinated me, and of course I think we can all agree that there is no real correct answers. I would say as long as intentions are good and it is well monitored, maybe earlier the better.
At present, is there a need to introduce electronics to a child? They are over-exposed and that is the cause of concern. However, a child should grow with the proper knowledge of his surroundings and these days, electronics is an unavoidable part of surrounding and thus upbringing. Though there's no certain age to let the children explore the world of gadgets, but they must not start pretty early either. Electronics is a kind of one way communication and that is the reason many autistic children are attracted to gadgets. Exposure to electronics at an early age of 2 to 3 might hamper a child's all round development.
Giving the toddler an electronic item is a no for me. I will give soft toys and electronic resembling toys to the toddler. My friends daughter is only 1 year and 8 months old and she plays with a real smartphone. She watches videos all day long. When the smartphone is taken away from her she cries a lot. So I think in the long run giving electronic items may affect the toddler negatively.
There is no need to introduce. Have you not seen kids grabbing the cell phone from their parents and saying their first hello. They just demand that they be included in the world of electronics some even as young as they 3 or even younger.
I think at the age that they understand about the electronics usage and the risk involved in using them. Take note, I made mention of the risks, they are kids and are very adventurous at such age. They would always want to try a new thing and if such gadgets are of health hazard they may get hurt. So therefore, it better to know when they are able to understand the risks involved in using some certain electronics before introducing it to them for their own safety.
