The short answer is YES! For a child, technology plays may roles: teacher, babysitter, playmate, and pacifier. Toddler/preschooler is the most popular age category in the education section in the iTunes app store. The American Academy of Pediatrics has long recommended that children under age 2 not be exposed to screen time at all. Parents of the world have not heard that advice: 90% of parents with children under age 2 let their children use electronic media. In fact, the AAP is continually reassessing their stance: “We now have to reconcile the fact that little kids (under age 2) are able to use these devices and learn from them” says Gwenn O’Keefe, MD, .a pediatrician and fellow of the AAP. Research has shown that children engaged in interactive media appear to retain information better than their peers who passively watch. The concern that arises is that children who have a lot of screen time will have less time to develop other key motor skills. So yes, while children are riding bikes later, they are also as savvy or even savvier with mobile devices then their parents. My son, Cash, is 3 now and he has been using my iPhone since he was about 18 months old. In fact, he knows his way around my iPhone in a way that impresses most people! Check out the link below to find some of the more popular apps for your mobile device.
http://www.parenting.com/gallery/25-iphone-apps-for-kids&lnk=mostpop&loc=hp
Tags: Learning, LifeSpan, Technology
