My 5-year-old and daughter is adept at using all the new age gadgets at home with ease. Well most children these days are smarter, aren’t they? Smarter than the previous generations. And that’s what the evolution theory is about as well
But I have noticed that BOARD games are slowly being minimized to BORED games and Angry birds have already invaded most households, either as iPhone/iPad games or original and duplicate merchandise from school stationery to inner wear.
Incidentally board games were played with neighboring friends in my childhood. Board games were more of a group activity than a lonesome activity of playing angry birds on an iPhone. Messy yet fun. But with digital games on a phone or a tablet it’s far easier to clean up. One swipe and, Mama I am done!
A lot of games on the modern gadgets are interactive and do develop rational and creative skills, but on the flip side may not induce the added push to develop motor skills. From holding a pack of cards to play Uno, to rolling a dice, to fusing and dismantling the blocks of a Lego game, all boost motor skills. Yes, playgroups and nursery schools do their share to enhance the motor skills.
But the same generation could be very soon having a Tablet as part of their stationary list the moment they step in 1st grade. And all this familiarity and comfort with using gadgets is a like a prep course for more techno learning that is getting promoted.
When we got computers in our school, I remember I was in the 5th grade. And my parents were awed and proud to see me navigate those beefy IBM & BBC machines with ease.
Gaming on phones and tabs will keep getting better and attracting kids , but yes, monitoring and setting rules of usage of all these gizmos is challenge that all parents need to brace for.
Cannot resist but link one of my older posts on Facebook and Kids, tagged ‘Facebook page of a Toddler’.
https://socialtrail.wordpress.com/2011/07/09/facebook-page-of-a-toddler/
Cheers
Mandar
socialtrail 
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