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.