Many of our customers relate to me their woes about
childrens' obsession with technology. As
we all well know, this is the age of the iPad, iPod, cell phone,
iPhone/smartphone, Nook, KindleFire, and too numerous to mention others. This personally became even more evident to
me during this past Christmas, when two of my grandchildren spent most of the
day playing on their new Xbox. There was very little interaction with the rest
of the family for a good part of the day.
This incident sparked my thinking about the importance of technological
and traditional play and finding a balance for both. The reality is that technology is here to
stay. The children use it in their
schools, many education institutions are beginning a shift towards "digital
learning" via laptops and iPads instead of notebooks and pens. We as
parents and grandparents need to acclimate ourselves to this new way of living,
which many of us have. HOWEVER, the
importance of sharing the old-fashioned, hands-on type of play should still be
incorporated, as this form of play enhances other skills that the technology
cannot.
Four ways to establish the techno-tradition balance are:
1) Engage your child.
Play a video game for a set time, then take out the board game, Legos, or
throw a ball outside.
2) Limit screen time, be it TV or videogame.
3) Put YOUR techno stuff away and limit YOUR screen
time! Children will often follow by
example.
4) Learn about the digital devices. If you are not familiar with a particular
device or app, ask your child about it.
This opens up a line of communication, allows you to be
"aware" of what your child is doing, and puts you as the parent
"in the know."
Determine the balance based on the benefit each of these
provides. Both do have benefits. Watching my grandsons manipulating the Xbox
wireless controller is mind-blowing to say the least. Talk about developing fine motor skills! Fortunately, their mother allows them to play
programs that enhance their spatial skills; they were actually "building"
cities, laying bricks, creating environments.
On the other hand, one of my granddaughters was playing on a small iPad
when I first arrived, but then she received a "Rainbow Loom", a nationwide
sensation that uses rubber bands to create jewelry. Well, her iPad was down and she was ready to
do a hand's-on project! My other
grandson played with his truck. I
believe that the key is to provide access to both these learning tools, but to
monitor "screen" time very closely.
The children are part of the electronic age, they need to be
knowledgeable in order to fit into our changing lifestyles and educational
system. They also need to continue to
use their hands-on creativity and imagination.
By incorporating both into their world, we also incorporate the new
electronic age, with baby steps, into our own, so that we can relate to their
world and they to ours. Providing both
techno and traditional toys forms a bridge between two very different
generations, so that we can understand each other's worlds.
