I love debates and the one I want to cover today is – should 3 year olds play on the laptop?
I have a 3, 4 and almost 5 year old and all three of them can use a laptop as easily as they can use a hairbrush to brush their hair.
Kaiden 4 has to be the wiz kid when it comes to technology; he loves and has always loved anything technical.
He opens the laptop, turns it on, clicks the Google Chrome icon and types in CBE he knows that this will bring up Cbeebies for him; it’s the same for Nick Junior.
I see nothing wrong with allowing him to play online games, they are designed for his age and they are educational.
Now don’t get me wrong, I know exactly what site he is on as we do watch him closely, but I have also seen others complaint that using a laptop at such a young age is damaging.
Should 3 year olds play on the laptop? I don’t see why not. Kody is 3 and has mastered the use of the keyboard, in doing so recognises letters. He also knows all his colours which I think online games have helped with.
Yes I use the laptop as a bribe; “if your good then you can play on the laptop when we get home” I have been heard to say, on more than one occasion.
Likewise if his behavior is not pleasant then he is not rewarded with something he clearly finds enjoyable.
Dr Aric Sigman told the Royal College of Paediatrics’ annual conference that parents should restrict kids’ screen time or risk them falling into a sedentary lifestyle linked to diabetes and heart disease.
Computer games are often demonised but studies show they can BENEFIT children’s development, vision and hand-eye co-ordination.
A report from the European parliament found video games can also stimulate learning for kids and improve skills such as strategic thinking, co-operation and creativity.
The key is ensuring screen time is properly managed. Dr Sigman argued under-threes should have little or no screen time every day, children aged up to seven should have no more than 90 minutes and young people aged up to 18 should have a maximum of two hours a day. (Read The Report)
Should mums be entertaining their children rather than putting them on a laptop? Perhaps they should but selfishly I do find it works, my children are entertained in an educational way and it frees up some time for me to cook tea or tackle the large pile of clothes to iron.
They are safe, they are monitored and they are learning. They are not on it every day, if they are on it it’s never for more than an hour at a time, we never sit still that long.
I don’t see a problem with it do you?
What do you think – should 3 year olds play on the laptop?
