Years ago I carved toys from blocks of wood for my children to play with. While I would have if Fischer Price had not come along. Okay so I am not that old.
Playing with my grandaughter the last few days I have discovered childrens entertainment has entered the digital world. And maybe it is better.
My stock of toddler/ pre-school learning apps and games has reached twenty and seems like I am just getting started. From peek a boo barn ( a real favorite) to My Tom for toddlers I have to admit there is a broad variety.
Is it better
Real books, where you can turn the pages, and toys you can touch and manipulate ((a toy car, Vroom, Vroom ) will always have some place, however, I definitely see the value in the digital toys.
Combined, old and new, the most recent generation of kids has the opportunity to broaden their experience. I would counsel caution though , relative relying on the digital world too much.
Probably the most obvious failing is the generally sedentary nature of these type of activities. There is some physical activity involved but it is limited.
Exposure and experience with physical beauty, smells and sounds can be duplicated digitally, but really nothing compares with the real thing.
Balance
A common theme through my posts is the value of balance . Activities at the outdoor playground mixed with the intellectual stimulation of finding a pig in peek a boo barn must be weighted together and both used wisely as your young child discovers the world and travels the journey to adulthood.
(It is corny but I have always wanted to write something like that last sentence.)
I also see the advantage of knowing the digital world and the vast amount of information available. But I think there is a definite loss in basic human relations and how we communicate and interact with each other. I see tables of young adults sitting in a restaurant sitting together but all on their cellphones.
I agree 100% with your comments about the need for balance. We see the same thing with our grandkids. Wizards with the digital world, they would gladly sit for hours on end glued to their ipads. However, running, jumping, swimming and exploring the world around them is equally enjoyable and very important if they are to truly experience the world around them. I feel the same about DVD players in vans. Wonderful to keep them amused but is not part of the “roadtrip” experience to see the country outside the window? Balance..the key to life!