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How Soon is Too Soon?

By Dave Rogers - Fri Jun 13, 2008 5:36pm PDT
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It may seem surprising in this age of techie kids, but babies are not born with a mouse in their hand. But how soon should we introduce our children to the wonders of computing?

That's a question explored in "So Young, So Gadgeted" in yesterday's New York Times. While it may be tempting to try to give your baby a head start on all things digital, the unavoidable facts of child development suggest a more cautious approach.

Reporter David Buckleitner turns to Jean Piaget's classic four stages of cognitive development for guidance and finds surprisingly practical help. He explores the four stages (0-2, 3-5, 6-11 and 12+) and suggests several products for each—providing us with something of a technological gift list for the kids in our lives.

Buckleitner concludes, "If he were alive today, Piaget would probably advise parents that for a young child, everything — whether it has batteries or not — is a discovery waiting to happen. But toys work best when they are matched to a child’s level of development." And that's something to which we can all agree.

Related: kids electronics, computers

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Other Parents Say…

Showing 1-7 Comments of 7

Posted by Courtney Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:30pm PDT

That is so true!

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Posted by Jesse Thu Jun 19, 2008 4:31pm PDT

Interesting points...

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Posted by bubbapierce21 Sat Jul 19, 2008 8:05pm PDT

I found a game site that is safe for all children. I even play it as well. It is called marapets Your child can have their own pet,name it,house it,feed it, and love it. The things you can do on the site are endless. Here is the link www.marapets.com/refer.php?id=mom2kirkir It is free and secure.

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Posted by Susan R Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:25pm PDT

disney and nick junior have great websites for the 3 to 7 age as well.

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Posted by texasbth@sbcglobal.net Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:06pm PDT

i agree with what is posted

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Posted by alexvilla@rocketmail.com Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:28pm PDT

Is it safe for an eight year old child to have an email account

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Posted by eija26 Wed Aug 13, 2008 6:55pm PDT

Definitely. It is a hard task to become parents nowadays. And thanx to bubbapierce21 for giving the addrs of marapet; it save me a lot of time.

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