As your toddler’s tiny fingers swipe, tap and pinch a smartphone or tablet screen, you simultaneously fill with pride and fear. This is the modern parents’ dilemma. On one hand you are filled with pride because want your child to be a proficient technology user. There is no doubt that … [Read more...]
Can Babies Learn to Read?
No doubt you’ve seen the products that claim to teach babies and toddlers to read. Infomercials tout their benefits, such as “...giving your baby the IQ advantage.” We’ve got DVD and flashcard kits, apps and even TV programs that propose that as parents we’ll be giving our little one a … [Read more...]
Are Tablets Causing Speech Problems
Are iPads causing speech problems for young children? Yes, if you believe a recent Sydney newspaper headline. The article suggested that iPads were responsible for developmental speech impairments in Kindergarten children. The article claimed that increasing numbers of children were … [Read more...]
Skype Away
There are few sounds in the world that are better than a baby giggling. And that hysterical baby giggle, coupled with the gummy smile... Well, it gets me every time. I melt. And that’s how Billy, my now 7-month old, spent 20 minutes last week. Laughing hysterically with (and at) at … [Read more...]
3 Essentials for Child Brain Development in a Digital Age
You are concerned that your child's brain development is changing because they are leading a ‘digitalised childhood’. You are worried. And rightly so. But the good news is that you don't need to be. I'm here to explain things. The headlines decry, ”Technology is re-wiring kids’ brains.” … [Read more...]
How Young is Too Young to Introduce Technology?
Have you seen the latest Fisher-Price iPad Apptivity Seat? It is a reclining baby bouncer seat with a mirror, with the option to slip an iPad (or other tablet device) into the mirror case and show apps and videos to babies. Yes, to babies. Very young babies that can not yet sit … [Read more...]
4 Secret Tips for Getting the Most Out of Children’s Book Apps
Does this sound familiar? “Don’t press that button! Hey, stop swiping at the pig. No, it’s not time to do the jigsaw puzzle- we’re meant to be reading a story!” Aghh- the joys of reading a book … [Read more...]
Language: An Essential Building Block for Learning
One of the most important skills a child needs to develop in the early years is language. It is a critical building block for learning. Children need ‘serve and return’ interactions with adults, right from the start. In fact, the latest neuroscience research tells us that a child’s language … [Read more...]
Talk With Technology
Technology is often criticised for hampering children's language and communication skills. There is no denying that excessive use of technology (such as too much background TV) is detrimental to a child's language development, or that inappropriate technology-use can be harmful (for example, baby … [Read more...]
The Five Essential Building Blocks for Learning
We now know more than ever about how babies and young children’s brains are built, thanks to advances in science research. What is interesting to note, is that these new insights are telling us that the way our grandparents parented is in fact the ideal model. It is called ‘ancestral’ parenting and … [Read more...]