High-tech toys for children: Educational, or an extravagance?

Iria · Dec 18, 2005, 01:41 PM

NEW YORK - Jetta is 11 months old, with big eyes, a few pearly teeth - and a tiny index finger that can already operate electronic entertainment devices.

"We own everything electronic that's educational - LeapFrog, Baby Einstein, everything," said her proud mother, Naira Soibatian. "She has an HP laptop, bigger than mine."

"I know one leading baby book says, very simply, it's a waste of money," Soibatian added. "But there's only one thing better than having a baby, and that's having a smart baby."

New media products for babies, toddlers and preschoolers began flooding the market in the late 1990s, but the children's market has since exploded with a host of new and more elaborate electronics for preschoolers, all marketed as educational.

Despite the commercial success, though, a report released Wednesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation, "A Teacher in the Living Room? Educational Media for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers," says there is little understanding of how the new media affect young children - and almost no research to support the idea that they are educational.
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Read More / Source: International Herald Tribune

Dec 18, 2005, 01:41 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 74	High-tech toys for children: Educational, or an extravagance? NEW YORK - Jetta is 11 months old, with big eyes, a few pearly teeth - and a tiny index finger that can already operate electronic entertainment devices. "We own everything electronic that's educational - LeapFrog, Baby Einstein, everything," said her proud mother, Naira Soibatian. "She has an HP laptop, bigger than mine." "I know one leading baby book says, very simply, it's a waste of money," Soibatian added. "But there's only one thing better than having a baby, and that's having a smart baby." New media products for babies, toddlers and preschoolers began flooding the market in the late 1990s, but the children's market has since exploded with a host of new and more elaborate electronics for preschoolers, all marketed as educational. Despite the commercial success, though, a report released Wednesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation, "A Teacher in the Living Room? Educational Media for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers," says there is little understanding of how the new media affect young children - and almost no research to support the idea that they are educational. __________ Read More / Source: International Herald Tribune