Britannica for Parents: Your Tech Savvy Preschooler

We are thrilled to be a part of this great article, “Your Tech Savvy Preschooler” from Britannica for Parents. In the article they discuss young children’s exprerience with technology and how a tech savvy preschooler is a child who is curious about how things work and is learning to use technology appropriately and wisely.

The article reads in part:

“So far, research into children’s digital apps has been less conclusive. When choosing supplemental learning experiences for children, hands-on experiences that engage children in active play and social interactions are still the most valuable learning experiences.

Robots are also becoming more common in preschoolers’ lives. Programmable robots like KinderLab’s KIBO are primarily used in schools, but it won’t be long until these educational robots…are widely available to families. The challenge for parents and caregivers is to resist the natural impulse to be wowed by the new innovations and, instead, plan intentionally for what role they want technology to play in the family’s life.”

Their takeaways for parents and caregivers when choosing technology for young children
1. Choose age-appropriate, high-quality media for your child.
Use trusted, unbiased sources for recommendations of the best shows, apps, and games for preschoolers.

2. Watch and play with your child.
Co-viewing (sitting with your child as you watch a show or view a website) has been shown to benefit children’s learning and increase positive engagement. Test-driving your child’s favorite digital games and interactive websites ensures that you are fully informed.

3. Balance the virtual with the tangible.
Set aside time every day for your child to enjoy active play, physical exercise, and social engagement. Time away from screens and devices provides a welcome balance to tech-heavy experiences.

Read full article.