Hand-held devices and software, such as LeapFrog tablets and smartphones, have been co-opted into young children’s playing and learning for a period of time. Many studies have been conducted about using them effectively in educational contexts so that their positive potential impact could be boosted. For example, in the studies conducted by Disney, Barnes, McDowall and Geng (2013), it was found that the use of an iPad could enhance young children’s engagement in their learning and playing. Therefore, the use of hand-held devices is becoming more accepted in terms of a developmentally appropriate learning device used during children playtime. (Chou & Lee, 2012) With the growing rate of technology today it is assumed that the majority of children
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I tried to go during various time frames each day so I could view their different hours of playtime. The infants and toddlers were only provided with basic toys such as balls and cars that would fall under the category of “play with objects,” or clothes for dressing-up, which is “pretend play.” Both of these types of play fall under the category of purely exploratory behavior that allows the infant to interact with the environment as well as other infants. All of the children were engaged with one another or the toys, this engagement relates to the many benefits of the function of motor, social, and cognitive skills. After observing, I asked one of the teachers why there weren’t any tech savvy toys such as LeapFrog tablets. Although I can only imagine how a parent would feel if they walked in on their child glued to a tablet rather than using the environment around them. Her reply was that the toddlers would possibly break the expensive tablets, some parents don’t allow their children to use technology, and the childcare center promotes face-to-face interactions in order to create …show more content…
Worthen discussed is what is known as Dual-Coding. This is a theory that discusses how educational technology promotes the visual learning ability with lighting speed but inhibits the physical interaction and the brains ability to use it’s full body when interacting. In other words, the child is sitting still and the mind and hand are fully engaged but it is usually alone whereas with a hands on approach through traditional learning, the child is fully engaged, body and mind and interacting with other children in a live format. The integration of both technological and physical capabilities is something that would be beneficial so that children can have a healthy balance as they grow.
Some of the great difficulties that youth face today as a result of the constant early exposure to electronic toys is the instant gratification they provide and the expectancy people continue to have of companies like Apple to produce more. The world our toddlers are living in that screams “I want more” along with the constant bombardment of entertainment is a level that is going to get increasingly harder for society to keep up with. The effects that these electronic toys have can be both good and bad and unless there is a balance, difficulties are sure to
I tried to go during various time frames each day so I could view their different hours of playtime. The infants and toddlers were only provided with basic toys such as balls and cars that would fall under the category of “play with objects,” or clothes for dressing-up, which is “pretend play.” Both of these types of play fall under the category of purely exploratory behavior that allows the infant to interact with the environment as well as other infants. All of the children were engaged with one another or the toys, this engagement relates to the many benefits of the function of motor, social, and cognitive skills. After observing, I asked one of the teachers why there weren’t any tech savvy toys such as LeapFrog tablets. Although I can only imagine how a parent would feel if they walked in on their child glued to a tablet rather than using the environment around them. Her reply was that the toddlers would possibly break the expensive tablets, some parents don’t allow their children to use technology, and the childcare center promotes face-to-face interactions in order to create …show more content…
Worthen discussed is what is known as Dual-Coding. This is a theory that discusses how educational technology promotes the visual learning ability with lighting speed but inhibits the physical interaction and the brains ability to use it’s full body when interacting. In other words, the child is sitting still and the mind and hand are fully engaged but it is usually alone whereas with a hands on approach through traditional learning, the child is fully engaged, body and mind and interacting with other children in a live format. The integration of both technological and physical capabilities is something that would be beneficial so that children can have a healthy balance as they grow.
Some of the great difficulties that youth face today as a result of the constant early exposure to electronic toys is the instant gratification they provide and the expectancy people continue to have of companies like Apple to produce more. The world our toddlers are living in that screams “I want more” along with the constant bombardment of entertainment is a level that is going to get increasingly harder for society to keep up with. The effects that these electronic toys have can be both good and bad and unless there is a balance, difficulties are sure to