TODDLER
Is it too early for
Technology?
By Liz Victor
In April 2010 we saw the world as we know it change
forever. The first iPad, a handheld tablet computer, was
introduced to the market. At the time, none of us thought
we would ever really use this device, and yet, a mere 4 years
later it is hard to imagine life without it. Adults and children
alike are often glued to their tablet screens, and we have to
stop and ask: are we going to pay the price for it later?
“ A toddler in her
developmental years
should be moving around
as much as possible:
jumping, climbing,
running and strengthening
major muscles “
Spurred on by the popularity of iPads and
smartphones, apps are cheap and easy to come
by. Developers like to lead us on to believe that it
is beneficial to let your young baby or toddler play
with a handheld device. Yet there are no long-term
studies that support this, and so common sense
should prevail.
Health concerns
A toddler in her developmental years should be
moving around as much as possible: jumping,
climbing, running and strengthening major
muscles. This is important so that she can go on to
gain control over her small muscle groups for fine
motor skills like writing and reading. It stands to
reason that if she spends hours on a device, she will
not get the basics into place and this could lead to
learning and health problems, such as obesity,
later in life.
We know that obesity is on the increase, which in
turn leads to early onset of puberty, as weight is
a contributing factor in hormone release. We are
seeing 8 and 9 year olds having to cope with
puberty. Is this what we want for our children?
One way to help avoid obesity is to encourage
your child, from a young age, to embrace and
enjoy an active lifestyle.
Stay engaged
Adults, as parents, should also be conscious of not
being attached to their own devices and constantly,
checking and re-checking emails, instant messages
and social media platforms like Facebook. Because
by doing so, they are neglecting to check on
their children.
If parents do not lead by example for their children
from a young age, it’s going to be too late when
they are teens. I urge parents to pay attention when
their toddlers talk; be in the moment, be engaged in
what they are doing, and don’t pretend to be
listening. They know when this is happening and
soon they will emulate your behaviour and stop
listening to you too.
Limiting screen time
So let’s be realistic here. We all have at least one TV
in our home, and most families have cell phones
and/or handheld devices. We are not going to get
away from this. How do we incorporate this
technology into our lives without harming our
children’s development?
The first thing to do is to limit the time spent on
watching TV or playing on a handheld device
(tablet, cell phone or game console) or a desktop
computer for that matter. Use these items as
rewards, for rainy days, or times when you need
10 minutes to do something. They shouldn’t be
the first thing you gravitate to as a babysitter.
Alternatives to extended screen time
A toddler’s natural instinct is to discover and go on
adventures. Often this doesn’t last past the toddler
years. Once formal education begins, the hands-on
approach is often replaced by hands off! So start at
home with simple things.
1. Record your child’s favourite programmes.
Toddlers love to watch programmes over and over.
Use the recorded programme or DVD as a book;
pause it and interact with your child. This will turn it
into an active session.