This morning I surrounded my 9 month old with a bunch of age-appropriate toys for babies while the older boys got ready for school... And it made me realize how our software is designed to teach children to be creative thinkers, not just button-pressers and clickers.
Seriously? Does every thing need to make a noise or light up when you touch it?
Luckily, I found a good old-fashioned jack-in-the-box. Crank it and pop! No lights, no digital sounds!
Although it is the same cause and effect concept in the digital versions of toys today, I don't need my baby to be stimulated with digital effects everytime he touches something. No wonder why kids today press any circle on any toy or furniture, thinking it will 'do' something for them in return! (Even though I am a proud mom that he 'gets' that concept!)
There are so many toys and software packages today that "TELL" a child what to do. "Press the red circle," "Push the button," "Click here".....
If the interactive toy or software TELLS a child what to do, and then rewards them with lights and sounds for doing it, it teaches a child to wait for a command and do it. I've taught these kids over the years who then ask me, "What do I do next, what do I do next?" These toys and games lack the creative thinking process that more open-ended, self-directed toys and software offer.
In our software, we do our best to allow the child to naturally explore and click, with as little commands as possible. Mr. Scott and Puterbugs help guide children, but the children are the main characters in the driver's seat, and the laptop is their key in the ignition. When they explore on their own, and reach success, it builds the confidence they need so they don't ask "What do I do next?"... they can figure it out!
Using our software to explore their creative side, they learn problem-solving and creative thinking skills - really important skills to sharpen in today's digital world.
When your child develops these skills even in the virtual world, then they can take these skills and apply them in school and off-line. They can stay a lot more focused on the good old-fashioned wooden blocks and toys that inspire creative thinking. The more they can correlate their virtual play with real-world play, the better they will see technology just as another tool.
....so time to take out the wooden blocks -- and save on batteries! ;)
If you had the money to buy only one toy for your child, I would recommend blocks. Just put a bunch of blocks on the floor and watch the child(ren) gravitate towards them to build and explore. There are so many skills a child acquires by "playing" with blocks.
ReplyDeleteThat's so true. Through all 3 of our kids, other toys have come and gone but our blocks are used weekly and are an integral part of our playtime.
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