Baby & Kids Keyboard

Introduction

Do babies and computers go together? It depends on who you talk to.

On one hand, the computer enables us to rotate images, pronunciations and sound effects, making lessons infinitely more varied and engaging than is possible with either flash cards or DVDs.

On the other, some people are worried about babies looking at any kind of screen - whether television or computer. The reason why can be broken down into three main concerns: radiation, eye strainand flash lessons (lessons involving the high-speed presentation of information).

Let's look at these concerns one by one

 

Radiation

Most modern home computers emit a negligible degree of radiation. If the radiation from the average computer were really harmful to babies, then it would be harmful to everyone, and we would all be told to stay away from the computer!

However, the old cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors the big, bulky kind do emit a significant amount of potentially harmful radiation. People who are particularly sensitive to this type of radiation (estimated to be around 20 percent of the population) can suffer ill effects from prolonged exposure, with symptoms including low mood and decreased immune function. Thankfully, liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors which do not have this problem have become the norm in most countries.

If you are using a CRT monitor with your computer, it is advisable to get an LCD monitor as soon as possible for the sake of your health as much as your baby's.

Eyestrain

The degree to which computers provoke eye strain largely depends on the type of monitor and in particular, its refresh rate.

CRT monitors have very low refresh rates if you look closely at one of these monitors, you will actually see the screen flickering. Prolonged use of such monitors tends to cause eye strain.

Thankfully, modern monitors have very high refresh rates and this problem has been reduced considerably. Many people who used to have eye-strain problems with CRT screens do not have problems with LCD or plasma screens.

One final note has to do with glare do make sure the lighting is adequate!

Flash Lessons

Concern has been expressed about the safety of flash lessons for babies. Some experts fear that when babies appear interested in flash lessons, it could be because of a primitive reflex known as the "orienting response."

The point of the orienting response is to get us to automatically focus attention on a strange sight or sound, in case it turns out to be a threat. Certain television programs for babies that rely on quick edits or the element of surprise (a person or puppet popping up suddenly), many of which are very popular with parents, may be causing very young children to exhibit the orienting response.

Some experts worry that very young children exposed to programs with quick edits or too many surprises will be more susceptible to attention problems in later life. "The concern was that this level of stimulation, which was unnatural, would condition the developing mind to view that as normal," says Dimitri Christakis, director of the Child Health Institute of the University of Washington. "Then by comparison the real world would be unsatisfying it wouldn't be stimulating enough."

Many children's programs contain split-second edits, clearly designed to elicit a surprised response. Flash lessons, by contrast, move at a speed of roughly one word or image per second. The difference in pacing is hugely important. On the one hand, fast-paced TV shows attract the viewer's attention, producing a hyper-alert state. On the other, flash lessons keep children engaged while at the same time encouraging concentration. Children who can concentrate do not have attention problems.

Too Much of a Good Thing

As with the television, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. The content you are showing your baby may be purely educational, but this does not mean there is no limit to the amount of time you can both spend at the computer.

As with the TV, a reasonable limit of computer use with babies (children under 2) would be one hour per day, divided into two 30-minute segments. For young babies (under 1 year), half an hour per day (divided into two 15-minute segments) may be more appropriate in the beginning.

If you are using Little Reader or Little Math, each session will take you 10 minutes or less. Of course, you can spend longer than this if your child is enjoying her lesson. If you are just beginning to teach, you may need to start with lessons under 10 minutes. Watch your child to gauge her reactions. If she shows any sign of decreased attention or interest, stop the lesson and resume it later.

Conclusion

The computer is a wonderful tool for teaching. It enables us to give much more varied and engaging lessons than is possible with traditional tools such as flash cards and DVDs.

Modern computer screens are not harmful for babies (or adults). Flash lessons, which move at a pace of one word or image per second, are much slower than the fast-paced children's programs believed by some experts to be detrimental to children's developing attention spans.

However, it is important to limit very young children's screen time whether in front of the television or computer. This is particularly important with the TV, since there is the temptation to use it as an "electronic babysitter" i.e. unsupervised. Of course, your baby cannot use the computer without you, making it much less likely to be used to excess. By using the computer to teach, you are also guaranteed to interact with your baby over his lessons. This will mean that your child learns more and more importantly, you will both enjoy bonding over the wonderful game of learning.

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