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Children Use iPads at Increasingly Younger Ages

Announcement posted by Cuddles Childcare Centre 07 Jul 2014

Owner of day care centre in Perth provides tips on how to ensure appropriate use of iPads by children.
Perth, WA, 7 July 2014 - Children are using iPads and other tablet computers at an increasingly young age. While there is no firm research yet on the effect of iPad use on children, most educators believe that the effect is positive. Educators and parents agree, though, that children are becoming more adept at computer use earlier than ever.

It can be difficult for a parent to manage a child’s iPad use. For example, there is a fine balance between a child using a computer “just enough” or using it so much that it detracts from their acquisition of social skills. In an era where many parents feel that they work too much and don’t have time for their other interests, it has become easy for many to use an iPad or computer as a “babysitter,” giving their child an iPad and leaving them unsupervised for hours at a time.

Michelle Novatscou, Operations Manager for Cuddles Childcare Centres in Perth, cautions parents against giving their children too much unsupervised iPad time. According to Ms Novatscou, “Too much time on an iPad or computer can be socially damaging to a young child. Preschoolers are at an age where they are beginning to develop social skills. They need to be outside playing with their friends or doing something with their families. This is how they develop the ability to communicate and socialise with their peers.”

Choosing the Right App

Parents often have a hard time choosing the right app for their children. Ms Novatscou recommends that parents ask themselves questions about any app they are considering for their child to determine whether it is appropriate for them. These questions can include whether or not the app is too complicated for the child, too simple or in line with their interests.

Exposure to inappropriate information is also a problem, even with security settings designed to protect children. Free game apps support their creators with advertising, setting up a risk that a child will be exposed to inappropriate information from advertisers.

Many apps contain links to other websites where they may be asked to buy something with a credit card. If it is a game that allows one to buy a competitive advantage, a child can be extremely resourceful at getting a parent’s credit card number.

Ms Novatscou make basic recommendations for parents to help them decide which apps are appropriate for their children. According to Ms Novatscou: “There are some precautions that you can take that will help ensure that your children don’t get inappropriate apps. The first is to check out the reviews on iTunes. These are made by people who purchased the apps and whose children are using them.”

Ms Novatscou concluded, “Ultimately, though, we recommend that parents use the apps with their children. The child gets to play with a parent and the parent gets to experience the app for themselves.”

Cuddles Childcare Centres consists of one childcare centre in each of three different locations surrounding Perth. Their motto is “learning through play” and they are known for their creative activities and high ratio of educators to children. To learn more, visit their website: http://www.cuddleschildcare.com.au/.