The use of tablets among children has long been debated by experts and parents. Many parents know the disadvantages, but the temptation for temporary good behavior is much to good to resist. And what about the learning. Let’s discuss that aspect.
Commonsight: Use of Tablets Among Children
Since we are a very “happening” family, we are always around. We go to malls, hotels, and so many Bacolod restaurants. Mostly, these are for events we cover or sometimes, it’s a family weekend dinner.
- Related: Why Family Meals are Important
And of course, we travel a lot. We have been observing the kids that we meet in airports, bus terminals, or hotel lobbies Many of them are very quiet and well-behaved in these public places. They seem to wait patiently until their parents are done with their business.
But what makes these kids sit still and be quiet? Their common denominator is a gadget.
Bad Effects of Screen Time for Kids
This year, the World Health Organization (WHO) echoed the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2016. WHO recommends that children between 2 and 5 years old should be limited to one hour of screen time per day. The lesser exposure, the better it is for kids.
The concern is a child’s preoccupation with the screen. The games and apps rob the children of time to be physically active as well as get much needed sleep. Let us not forget that physical activity and exercise offers a lot of benefits needed for a child’s physical and mental development.
During the child’s early years, the brain develops rapidly. With this, young children learn best by interacting with people, not screens. They should talk, laugh, and play with parents, siblings, and friends.
Moreover, always having their head down and having no eye contact with people might be harmful to their brain development.
- Related: Raising Einsteins: Bacolod Intervention and Tutorial Center for Children with Special Needs
The lack of interaction because of screen time impedes language, social and emotional development. Additionally, it may affect a child’s development of insights, empathy, and ways of knowing themselves.
Our Family’s Experience with Screen Time
I believe that each child is a unique individual. So their learning and coping processes, as well as talents and skills, are different. And we have applied this perception on the use of tablets among our children.
We have researched kids’ exposure to digital and electronic devices. These include screen time from the television and the use of tablets among children.
We learned that exposing very young infants to the tube at an early age may increase the risk of autism. And so we avoided that.
Both my husband and I read on how these things affect our kids. After all, parenting is our shared responsibility.
Due to our research on the subject, we did not start our children on educational videos until they were 7 months old. These videos were shown on the television at regulated times and not on handheld gadgets.
We also avoided bringing them outside during mealtimes when the family TV is almost always on. Based on our readings, we learned that commercials, compared to children’s videos, have very fast movements for children’s eyes to follow. A baby’s eyes are not yet so developed and this early exposure may distort their vision.
How the iPad Became a Tool for Learning
While the use of gadget among young kids have bad effects, they also have advantages. So we didn’t want our kids to miss out.
The educational shows on television were introduced at seven months. As for the tablet, we delayed introducing it until the kids were over three years old.
We wanted our children to have a well-rounded childhood where they are exposed to physical play. They should have fun time with friends, time for art, and many other things.
I think our eldest Shawna was already 3.5 years old when we bought our first iPad and she started using it. We had some games, especially Princess dress up and cooking games.
But we also had bed time stories, bible stories, and many other educational apps. These included medical documentaries from the Harvard School of Medicine.
Learning New Skills
There are skills that can be learned while using handheld devices. We cannot neglect the fact that our world is turning digital.
When our eldest Shawna got her own phone (a hand me down from me), she learned how to make stop-motion videos. Moreover, she can shoot a vlog, edit it, and upload it on youtube. She has done all of these without us having to teach her. We were amazed that she was able to figure out everything by herself.
Her creativity actually knows no boundaries. Below is the video that Shawna did all by herself. This was taken at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central when the Mind Museum Space Adventure Exhibit was held.
The Discipline Needed in Using Gadgets
So basically, the tablet became a learning tool. However, we limited their use of the iPad and we regulate the apps that she could use. One such limit is, no more games during bedtime. She only gets to read a couple of bible stories.
Or Papa reads a story for them, complete with actions and sound effects. The kids just adore this time because Papa can be really funny. It’s an end-of-the-day bonding activity for them and it makes them really happy.
Use the gadget with your kids. This will keep them from zoning out while playing games or watching videos. It’s interactive, too. Plus, using the tablet together means that you are able to keep a close eye on security, which is so important when using any device connected to the internet. You can find information and advice on how to ensure that you are using this device as securely as possible over on this Cell Phone Deal article, which is well worth a read if cyber security is something you are not all too familiar with.
I can say that the discipline of regulating our iPad, TV, and mobile phone use have worked on both our children.
But of course, they are kids and they are human. There are times when they would try to bend the rules, but we remain firm. I am a work at home mom so I can monitor their gadget use.
A Variety of Activities
Aside from these routines, we try to balance their schedule as much as we can. They have play time outside, intentional playtime with friends, and playtime with new kids in common play areas. For the last one, we go to fun houses in malls.
Furthermore, the kids also have time for art. We provide them with arts and crafts materials like crayons, pens, pencils, water color and lots of scratch paper. They can doodle and make paper crafts all they want.
Sometimes, they use the iPad for art tutorials. They have done many drawings while following online tutorials on how to draw.
Anything in Moderation
So for us, we believe that everything can be a tool for learning as long as it is used in moderation. We are homeschooling, so gadgets have provided additional lessons and experiences to our kids.
It is also worthy to note that the use of gadgets and the internet should be with careful parental supervision.
After all, anything and everything will be just as bad and will have adverse effects if not moderated.
We are not perfect parents. But let’s try not to leave things to chance. Let’s do our research and implement rules around the house. The kids will appreciate that when they are older.
Read Similar Posts:
me too..got the ipad for jam..dyan sya natuto ng basic learning for nursery education..but of ourse,you are right dapat in moderation lng lahat…anythin na sobra is bad, lalo na sa mga mata nila!
agree about what tablet helps our child develop her knowledge..there are games that is educational games to be downloaded.also if we are on long trip she didnt bored the trip because she enjoy what application she play..and also there are music,she wants to listen while on trip hehe.
My son uses my phone but I’ve set up an account for him. He only has learning apps and YouTube kids.
I’m ok with my kids using these gadgets as long as it is in moderation. Before they started school, they already know their colors, alphabet, animals and numbers because of these apps and most importantly because of my guidance. As they say, anything in excess is bad.
iPad or any similar gadgets are helpful but can also be disturbing if used without discipline.
In my case, I use it for getting what I want to be done by my kids. They don’t want to eat properly, no one can use the iPad then. It works for me hehe! Better than bribing them with loads of chocolates and dolls. At least iPad is a one time purchase haha!
Just my thoughts.
haha True. Sometimes, we do that, too. If she does not do what we tell her, then we withdraw the iPad privileges. That will also help keep her from getting addicted to it, realizing that she can live without it.
my daughter know how to download games on my tablet. She likes dressing and make up princess, i make sure pag walang pasok lng sya pwed gumamit. I keep on checking mga downloads nya. Big help din this gadget lalo na pg long trip para d sya mainip at mahilo laro laro lng sya..
I agree that kids can use tablets in order to learn and develop new skills. But there should always be a moderation! They should not be left alone with gadgets because they will certainly not control themselves.
I can see where tablets would be helpful but their use could also get out of hand. Thanks so much for sharing this with all of us! It is a great reminder for all parents to discipline their kids in the use of gadgets. Screen time should really be controlled because it’s not good for their development.
My kids have tablets, but I do insist that they get off them now and again. They do comply — my daughter loves to be outside at least.
Tablets are ok for kids but I think they can be overused. We parents do need to set the limits for gadget use and screen time. We are, after all, the parents and we just want what’s best for our children.
I love the fact that kids have access to a whole range of information and educational services now thanks to technology. With that being said I think the use of tablets from an early age is too much. It cuts down on time spent with family and can even lead to arguments.
Although there are plenty of upsides, there are also downsides. Moderation is the key to effective use of gadgets and parents should monitor proper usage.
Tablets are great learning tools but using them has to be limited with young children. Even teens. They should not stay glued to their gadgets at every free minute.
iPads can be over used – playing games – use a traditional board game, reading use a book rather than a kindle app. I asked my optician and he said he was seeing lots more children needing glasses than 20+ years ago and he felt it was because of increased use of electronic devices.
I totally agree. That’s too bad. My daughter’s eye condition is genetics though. We didn’t know that everything was blurred for her and she finished Kinder school seeing everything blurred. Her lens is so thick! Anyway, I feel for those who don’t have eye problems and were just brought about by the use of gadgets. Too bad.
This is such an important topic! We have a 7-month-old and I’ve been trying to be really mindful about my use of my phone and watching TV when she is awake — especially now that she is getting older and paying more attention to our actions. Thank your for the advice. I have learned a lot. 🙂
What a great blog post on controlling the use of gadgets among children. While it’s true that kids learn from some apps and programs, too much screen time isn’t good at all for their developing brains and also their eye sight. I will share this information with my friends who are already parents! You explained everything, including the pros and cons of gadget use, so well!
Tablets can be very helpful for kids learning, as long as you don’t over-do the screen time. It’s also important to get out and play in the real world. Parental guidance would be very crucial for the use of gadgets among kids.
I agree that balance and discipline is key with the use of gadgets. We live in the digital age so we can’t totally ban gadget use.? Children can learn from them, too.
I am one of those guilty moms who seek a gadget’s help inorder to make the kids behave so that I can finish my house chores. Although I do my best to limit their screen time, there are indeed times that I let them stay on it for more than an hour or two. But I will continue to do my best to read to them and even watch with them that way I can monitor what they watch and play. 🙂
This is one of my concerns guid, Ms. Sometimes I am tempted to bring out my phone and let my baby watch educational videos on YouTube. Huhu.
Our pedia keeps on reminding us about “zero” screen time for baby before 2 years old pero sometimes, I have no choice but let her watch something when I am preparing her mashed food and the husband is not around. I feel so guilty about this.
The key pa din is balance. Always remember least gadget exposure is still best for babies. If short time lang, like a few minutes and it’s not every day, I think it’s just fine. We cannot really do this perfectly. 🙂
Ugh. Overuse and overdependence on gadgets by kids is really rampant nowadays. They are, in fact, already addicted but deny it because they do not realize it yet. But one indication of it is that they cry or get mad or throw tantrums when it is taken away from them. It is true, kids will not socialize (esp.with adults) when they’re holding their tablets or on mobile games. It is sad, but parents really need to put their foot down before they get totally ignored by their kids in later years. It is the only way kids can control their use of gadgets: with parental supervision.
The key is moderation and discipline. Tablet has a good effect for my son. He has autism and was non verbal before. Now,he is very talkative and he is absorbing all information given to him( of course I monitor everything he is watching and playing in his tablet). He did some experiments and a lot of arts and crafts, he based it from what he saw.
As with everything “good”, moderation is still key. Because no matter how good it is basta too much na, it’s not good pa din. You are right, our daughters are also learning crafts, drawing, playing instruments, as well as experiments and recipes from You Tube kids and other videos. 🙂
This blog is worth to read,
Sa panahon ngayon ang mga bata ay nahuhumaling sa gadgets kaya kailangan talaga ng guidance ng magulang at moderation sa pag gamit. Naayon talaga ang topic na to at dapat mabasa din ng iba pang mga magulang.
Having three kids was very hard, yet happy and contented. Kapag busy ako sa bunso ko (papadede). Binibigay ko muna phone ko s second born ko. Nanonood SyA Ng YouTube but I’ll make sure n educational movie pinapanood Nia.
I agree with you mommy. Tablet is so helpful talaga to enhance their knowledge especially kung nakakanood sila ng mga educational vids & nakakapag-play ng educational games. My youngest brother learned to speak english fluently & to solve math problem with the help of youtube “English Tutorial” & Math lessons vids. It helps him a lot!
Guilty here. I can’t help na pagamitin Ng phone Ang bunso ko. Lalo na kapag nsa school Ang ate at kuya niya. Way ko po to para maka gawa ako ng gawaing Bahay. 🙁
Next time I’ll make sure talaga na wag masyado s gadgets. Ang daming bad effects. 😉