Technology and Toddlers

(image taken from Google images)

“They’re growing up so fast” is something people say countless times when they see young babies, and never has a phrase been more true; children in their early years indeed develop very rapidly. Here are some of the most notable changes your child will undergo in a particular period:

For 0 to 11 months: they can sit, first with the help of adults and eventually on their own. They learn about the things around them with the use of their hands and mouth (that’s why babies love grabbing things and then putting them in their mouths!). They begin to identify who their parents are, and therefore they will be shy around strangers.

Babies from 0 to 11 months learn about the world around them with the use of their five senses, but mostly through touching and tasting; that’s why we often see babies grasping our fingers when we first meet them, and then later on, we find ourselves playing a small tug-of-war to avoid having them put our fingers into their little mouths!

(image taken from Google images)

For 1-year-olds: their height is 1.5 times and the weight is 3 times as much as they were born. They start to say words and walk without help. They use their whole body to play. Physical play should be encouraged in order for your child to exercise and master fine and gross motor skills such as jumping, and hand-eye coordination.

For 2-year-olds: they develop reflexes rapidly, particularly in their feet. They can run, jump, climb and descend the stairs without their hands; they can kick and catch a ball and perform various tasks that require eye-hand or eye-feet coordination. Children start to ask a lot of what and why questions, and adults should respond in humour.

Parents should remember that children’s development may vary. Children’s relationship with their parents and guardians have a positive influence not just in their cognitive development, but as well as in the physical and affective aspects of their development (Vipul Baijal, 2014)

If parents need more information about child development, this website provides detailed information about it. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html

Children and Technology Use

(image taken from Google images)

Parents, in an attempt to prepare their children for school, come to use technology to aid in their children’s learning. Technology has undoubtedly made everything easier – from basic tasks to learning an array of subjects. The key to its efficient use, however, is not on the program or apps installed, but how the particular gadget is used.

Parents, having your children stay put while eating at a restaurant is not one of the benefits of technology use! Children should be allowed to socialize even at the dinner table, or with other kids. Letting them sit quietly with an iPad may help you, but will not help them.

Here are some pointers you may use when letting your children use technology:

• Talk about what they are seeing on the screen as you are reading a story
• Have fun and give attention to your child’s cues.
• Choose a good software that will not only teach your child but also encourage communication between users.
• limit the time of using not to get addicted.

Despite the many benefits technology has in aiding in your child’s development, it is important to know that technology can also be dangerous. Parents should have an idea on the different hazards technologies have on their children, as children are still incapable of discerning that for themselves.

Firstly, excessive use of technology can jeopardize other areas of development, such as the physical and social domains. Encourage your children to still engage in outdoor play with other children!

If it is completely unavoidable to use technology, here are research-based tips for parents to correctly incorporate technological gadgets in activities for a each age(About Parenting, n.d.):

For new born babies: their hearing is outstanding even they haven’t learned how to talk. E-books or educational radios are more effective for this age. Have them listen to stories or different songs; it will eventually help with their language development.

For 1-year-olds: keeping toys new and fresh is effective for this age (BabyCentre,n.d.).Shape sorters and puzzles can help 1-year-old toddlers develop cognitive and fine motor skills; constantly changinge or bringing in new puzzle toys will surely challenge your child’s thinking skills. From one and a half years old children can start Lego Duplo that are the length, height and width of original Lego bricks. To enjoy learning English, it is better to touch this language early. If you sing, listen to and dance by music player with your children, they learn English from your imitation.

(image taken from Google images)

Two years olds need to interact with others. Download games that enhance their chances of interacting with others, such as basic charades. It improves their vocabulary while keeping them active and sociable! Downloading books online may help also; texts accompanied by audiobooks will help them identify the relationship between letters, words and sounds. 

Parents should just remember that children at this age should still avoid violent games. Educational screen media such as software, application let children move their fingers, think, and enjoy! If you search on YouTube, you can see a lot!

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References:

http://www.ehow.com/info_8175866_educational-toys-1yearolds.html

http://www.rbbtoday.com/article/2012/02/23/86591.html

http://preschool.teoler.com/index.php/component/k2/item/5-infant-and-toddler-development-with-parental-interaction/5-infant-and-toddler-development-with-parental-interaction?start=144250

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/11/fashion/steve-jobs-apple-was-a-low-tech-parent.html?referrer=&_r=4

http://www.babycentre.co

http://babyparenting.about.com/od/activitiesandplay/u/toddler-activities.htm