iPhone apps as babysitters?
by Rachel Sarah
Filed under Kids
Is it just us, or have you also been noticing more and more toddlers “plugged in” at the dinner table? Dr. Leah and I were trading notes about the last few times we ate out — I’m in San Francisco, and Dr. Leah is in New York — and both of us noticed that two and three-year-olds were on iPhones as their parents chatted away at dinner.
We understand that couple time can be very hard to come by. And we all crave adult conversation, especially when enjoying a restaurant meal. As single parents, we also know it’s not always easy to get just 10 minutes of downtime. But we can’t help but wonder if all these kids on cell phones is some sort of American trend. What do you think?
Almost half of the top 100-selling apps in the iTunes App Store are for preschool and elementary-aged children! Sure, these kids might be practicing their ABCs as their parents get some adult time.
But … we wonder how all this media usage affects young kids?
Please know: No judgments @Singlemommyhood – ever! We know that many of you consider iPhones and other technology innovations great teaching tools. And are justifiably proud of what your kids’ tech savvy. Many of you are wary of too much screen time, especially for young kids.
We’re *curious* to know what YOU think. So, we’d love to hear your thoughts:
If you have a toddler, do you let him/her play on your phone?
If so, do you consider your phone a teaching tool?
Or is offering your phone to your child a last resort when you’re desperate?
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Photo courtesy of purplelime
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Twitter @ modernlovemuse
What a timely question. First of all, I should say that we have a TV, but it’s not hooked up. We have Wii. Same story. No DVD player, VCR or CD player either. They are all still in boxes from our move 9 months ago!
BUT, and it’s a biggie – we both have iphones.
And in moments of desperation – like the kids are screaming in the car on a 2 hour road trip – those apps are a lifeline to sanity. Our daughter, who is 2, is completely enamoured with the ABC spelling game. It’s obvious from watching her, that she recognizes the letters, the order they go in, and has great fun ‘spelling.’ At most, thought, it lasts 10 minutes. Then like any toddler, she wants something else.
As with all technology, it isn’t the tool that’s the problem, per se. I don’t oppose TV, music or modern ‘conveniences.’ There are days when I want to watch a movie with my kids. We’ve chosen to unplug to this degree because it’s the only way we can make sure our little ones spend time in their imaginary play, and not acting like zombies in front of the screen.
We are holding off as long as we can, but the writing is on the wall. Our 7 year old is starting to notice that our house has less ‘cool factor.’ I suppose in the near future, we’ll finally hook up the TV, but only for movies, if I can help it, and only for limited screen time.
Which is a whole lot less than the amount I spend on the computer, responding to cool blogs like this.
Twitter @ http://www.vomitcomit.wordpress.com
It’s not a teaching tool for us. It’s a 5 minute game we can play together sometimes, or a sanity saver when stuff in traffic.
I don’t use it as a sitter, but as a treat. I downloaded a memory game and some random spongebob thing to occupy them on the bus. They prefer to play my games anyway.
I love my iTouch.
Twitter @ jenniferonceuponanapp.com
My boys really enjoy the iPad and iPhone, however they don’t play it 24-7. Its really great for long car trips, or waiting in the doctor’s office. I really try and avoid them using it while in a restaurant . . . only if the wait is excruciatingly long for ALL of us!
My youngest (age 4) enjoys the storybook apps, coloring, connect-the-dots, puzzles, and memory games. The oldest (age 10) obviously likes the games with detailed graphics. However, we have managed get in a habit of using the apps for educational purposes . . . especially math (as he struggles with multiplication).
As a family we like to read aloud the storybooks before bedtime, and we’ll challenge each other with the timed memory games.
Definitely think this is the future . . . in the classroom and at home.
Twitter @ ChasingAmy206
I have an iPhone and my 9 year old now has my iTouch. I wish we had these when she was younger and fidgety at restaurants, doctor’s appointments, waiting in long lines, sitting in traffic. I don’t think parents are using these tools as babysitters, but more as tools of distraction and sanity. They are no different from handing them any other toy to keep them busy. She used to get bored with coloring at restaurants, now we can play checkers or tic tac toe, or a brain game. It’s been a learning toy and an entertainment toy. “Screen time” is going to be more of a way of life for them than it was/is for us and we have to accept that. At least it’s interactive and not passive and brain numbing like watching TV for hours on end.
@Jennifer: That’s why I love about the iPhone for my kid… practicing multiplication and division during drives. Yeah!
Twitter @ BittyBookworm
As with all things in life, balance is the key.
Twitter @ RhodeSoft
My son is 20 now and beyond the pale, so to speak, but I wish I had had an iPhone with some apps when he was a toddler and older, but still young, child. He tended to play the hand-held video games, but it would have been great to have some of the educational apps, too!
Twitter @ StartingMom
So true, a lot of apps targeted for specific niche as toddlers and mommies. Baby Piano, Alphababy and I hear Ewe are the favorite of my son. For moms, you can check Intuition (www.iconapps.com) aka “mom’s personal assistant”. Task management tool that simplifies my schedules and to-do’s. The grocery listing is also wonderful!