With the introduction of touch screen technology, the use of the information technology devices such as the ipad, tablets and the smartphones has become widespread in this modern world, not forgetting the young children who are exposed and are using it themselves. Parents who are using these devices, their child naturally are easily accessible and will be frequently used by their child. The National Association for the Education of Young Children’s position statement on Technology and Interactive Media (NAEYC, 2012, p. 2) states that ‘young children live in a world of interactive media and they are growing up at ease with digital devices that are rapidly becoming the tools of culture at home’. In Singapore, this similarly state in the Kindergarten
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Parents and educators have the responsibility, in the best interests of the children, to wean them from excessive dependence on screen media and least, allowing them to have the freedom of using to surf the internet to wherever they want to. They would also need to consciously limit the amount of time young children spend on digital technology through the smart phones or handheld devices like the iPad. One main concern is having them on hook is in relation to addiction. It is important for parents and educators to realise that a touch screen is not a toy, but is an adult’s tool. They should not allow young children to just use because they can ‘kill’ their child’s time while they can do something more important. Young children are growing up in a digital age and their skills and knowledge are likely to outstrip the knowledge of their parents. However their technological abilities are often ahead of their emotional maturity and judgement, and the usage of IT devices is most likely to increase, not decrease, as children grow. Learning via touch screen relies on visual input to the brain. Infants, toddlers and young children need sensory activities as they are not at a level of abstract thinking where they can benefit from screen usage. They need direct, firsthand experience with materials and equipment that challenge their thinking and problem solving skills. Also, activities need to allow for ‘practice’ of physical skills. Children also need to be able to develop spatial skills and apprehend three dimensional spaces. Touch screen usage will not facilitate these in infant and toddler
Parents and educators have the responsibility, in the best interests of the children, to wean them from excessive dependence on screen media and least, allowing them to have the freedom of using to surf the internet to wherever they want to. They would also need to consciously limit the amount of time young children spend on digital technology through the smart phones or handheld devices like the iPad. One main concern is having them on hook is in relation to addiction. It is important for parents and educators to realise that a touch screen is not a toy, but is an adult’s tool. They should not allow young children to just use because they can ‘kill’ their child’s time while they can do something more important. Young children are growing up in a digital age and their skills and knowledge are likely to outstrip the knowledge of their parents. However their technological abilities are often ahead of their emotional maturity and judgement, and the usage of IT devices is most likely to increase, not decrease, as children grow. Learning via touch screen relies on visual input to the brain. Infants, toddlers and young children need sensory activities as they are not at a level of abstract thinking where they can benefit from screen usage. They need direct, firsthand experience with materials and equipment that challenge their thinking and problem solving skills. Also, activities need to allow for ‘practice’ of physical skills. Children also need to be able to develop spatial skills and apprehend three dimensional spaces. Touch screen usage will not facilitate these in infant and toddler