You are telling
me MY topic is over?? Since when do topics have an "end"?
I guess it's kinda like the people who put down [a Mac]... Even though they've only ever owned a [PC]. Sure, they know the [PC] has (for the most part) performed well for them... and they have [used a friend's Mac a few times]... But once you own the [Mac] for yourself... it's different.
Couldn't have said it better myself!
Ok. Now. While having kids IS its own experience and you develop some different attitudes, that doesn't mean those who don't have kids
don't know anything about them or what's good for them. If what you said is true, then I would guess doctors, psychologists, counselors, teachers, etc. who don't have kids should be
required to have kids themselves in order to practice?
I'm not against learning for toddlers! Of course its great to give your child every opportunity and assistance to learn and grow. But I still don't believe
very young children need
computers to learn. I think you have to look beyond the computer games to the broader message you are sending when you start sitting your kid in front of a computer so young.
You say children should be children and play and have fun... my kids do find these devices fun. They bring them wanting to play.
Of course kids find those devices fun
because that's what they have been given to play with. Babies don't have any control over what's handed to them to play with. Don't give them a computer, they'd never miss it. Give them a ball and I'm sure they'd bring the ball over to you as well. I doubt seriously if a toddler can make much distinction between a ball and a computer button. Give them almost anything (including a wooden spoon and some pots to bang on) and they will make it a toy and have fun. Kids play with
whatever is made available to them. Shoot, I played with sticks, rocks and mud and still managed to make National Honor Society.
So mommy or daddy (sometimes both) sit and play it with her (them). So isn't this something your are for?
Sure...its great if parents participate. But better yet--why not remove the computer from the picture. I feel parents (and other caretakers) are totally capable of engaging and educating their toddlers with shapes, colors, ABCs, numbers, etc. 1 + 1 still equals 2 whether the computer is saying that to your kid or YOU are. There used to be a toy with a hammer that a kid banged different colored shapes through shaped holes. Kids loved banging that hammer. But now...ya gotta watch shapes and colors dancing on a computer screen to learn about that stuff?? I don't buy it. I can take a child outside and teach them the sky is blue, the ball is round and grass is green. What about eye-hand coordination? Clicking a mouse vs. using hands to shape playdough, or
imagination to build things with Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs or draw with crayons or chalk. Computers require no imagination, no coordination.
As children get a little
older, learning basic computer skills is good of course since computers have become so ingrained in our world. But
toddlers?? Naah. There are SO many ways to learn that do not involve sitting at a computer screen. It's
advertising media that is making parents feel like they are somehow not doing right by their children if they don't run out and buy the latest educational tot computer.
Get your wallet ready because there will be the onslaught of computers "necessary" to teach every age level. You better make sure you buy every one of them every time the latest and greatest comes out on the market or your children might not measure up to Joe Schmoe's children down the street.
Note that I know you, Dandy, have your kids best interest at heart and want to exercise and grow their minds. I think Laurel and Caiden would be just as well off, well cared for and have age-appropriate intelligence if you did not have any computer toys-- BECAUSE--they have caring, interested parents. Its my humble and personal opinion that toddler computer gear is nothing more than hooey for some toy company to rake in profits based on parent guilt. Tot computers are NOT
necessary to give your children educational advantages.