TECHNOLOGY |
HOW IT CAN CONNECT |
HOW IT CAN DISCONNECT |
Baby
Monitor |
Keeps
baby safe
Lets
you hear your baby’s voice and babbling,
singing, and talking |
Thinking
your child doesn’t need you because
he’s not crying.
Playful
awake time is the optimal learning time! |
Toy with
Electronic Melody |
Use
with your baby, move from side to side to
encourage eye tracking, and following sound
Talk
about it with baby while using |
Toys
just left with baby to discover on his own.
Although baby will respond to sound, it’s really just
sound- not “music” |
Electronic
Toys for Babies |
Play
with baby, showing him or her how to push a
button to make lights or sound work, getting excited
when baby does it |
Showing
baby once how toy works, then leaving baby
to play on his or her own
|
Cell Phones |
Minimal
use, especially when it comes to texting.
Children need and want to hear your voice!
Talking
on the phone instead of texting. Just hearing
your voice gives your child a wealth of information |
Continually
texting or watching the screen
When
children talk to parents while they are texting
there is little or no eye contact and minimal oral
language being shared. |
Apps on
Mobile Devices |
Using
apps that teach letters, numbers, patterns, or
“finding” games
Sitting
next to your child and offering comments as he
plays “Wow! You found the square!” |
Using
the “Passback Effect.” Passing electronic devices
to your children to simply keep them busy. Of course
there will be times when this is necessary, but
shouldn’t be the norm. |
i PADS,
Tablets, E-Readers |
Great
for answering questions that come up when the
child is most curious “Where do the ants live?”
There
are great apps for learning, and interactive
e-books
You
can make your own E-books from family photos,
using free or inexpensive apps. |
Simple
repetitive games that only require a child to keep
doing the same motion to get points and play again.
Games
for “creative” play that have limited choices
Using
regularly just to keep the child occupied
|
DVDs |
Age-appropriate,
and occasional. Best shared as a
family so you can discuss as you watch.
Used
in the car on special occasions, like long car trips-
but not as norm. Time in the car is the great
conversation time! |
Getting
into the habit of putting it on whenever you’re in
the car. Creates distance between you and your child
and eliminates one of the best talk times!
Watching
so often that child expects or even and
demands a movie. |
Television |
Limited
watching of age-appropriate shows, and with
adults as the norm.
Having
discussions and watching together can be great
for everything from vocabulary to story-telling skills.
|
TV
that is on all the time, or more than it is off.
TV
in child’s room
TV
that is unmonitored by adult, with viewing of age-
inappropriate shows. |
Computers |
Sitting
with your child in your lap while looking at
digital photos of family and friends, or reading or
playing together.
Skyping
with friends and family |
Sitting
a child at a computer and putting on a game that
requires nothing more than pushing buttons, using as a
babysitter.
|
i PODS and Music Players |
Great
for singing and dancing along, and setting or
changing a mood!
Music
to sleep by is a comforting ritual for many
children, allowing them to self-soothe. |
Volume
that is too loud and can damage young ears
Music
that’s inappropriate for children
Having
music on all the time, so that it becomes a white
noise and leaves to space for talking or singing |