According to the ABC, a Queensland study on the screen time habits of young people found that computer games help "boost a child's self esteem, mental development and even their physical activity levels."
Dr Daniel Johnson from the Queensland University of Technology explains that computer games are more cognitively active and there are also many games that are physically active for children.
The study found that most children between two and five years of age exceeded the government recommendation of one hour of screen time per day. Yet, dependant on the child and the game being played, this may not necessarily be a bad thing.
One of my work colleagues is a huge advocate for iPad apps as learning tools for toddlers. He says his two-year old son's vocabulary, memory and word association skills have developed rapidly through the use of various educational iPad apps. His son uses the iPad for about an hour each day, but mum and dad ensure he spends plenty of time playing outdoors too.
My eight-year old niece is also a huge fan of playing on the iPad – she’d play Plants vs. Zombies on the iPad all day if I let her!
Have you found computer games to be more beneficial to your child's development than television?
If so, which computer games/iPad apps have you found particularly effective?
Giota Nikolopoulos is Communications Manager at Australian Scholarships Group (ASG). Connect with ASG on Facebook and Twitter for more information on parenting and education.
Hi Giota,
ReplyDeleteI generally agree with your comments as I have seen the value of tablet apps in the learning process. I encourage my Grandchildren to make use of dual modes of learning. A book like Richard Hawkins 'Magic of Reality' with its interactive tablet app uses traditional media and reinforces the learning process through a great app.
Story time has also meant a slew of interactive books and a few of my favourites currently are: 'Moving Tales', 'Pedlar Lady', 'Unwanted Guests' and 't'was the night before Christmas'. All combine great graphics, narration and have the ability to use voice over narration so we Grandparents can be actively in their lives even though we may be far away. I have been known to Skype of an evening with iPads at either end to read these stories. Peter Eerden
Thanks for your tips Peter! I will certainly pass on those titles to my nieces, we're always on the look out for new ways to combine tradition and technology when it comes to learning.
ReplyDelete-Giota