Sometimes, children will hold the tablet and not let go. This is probably a common problem in modern families. However, looking at it from another perspective, these new devices can become a window for children to explore the vast world. What is important is how we select and use content that is truly beneficial to children.
Smart choice for educational applications
Nowadays, there are many high-quality educational applications in the app store. They are very sophisticated in design, highly interactive, and can effectively attract children's attention. For example, some applications use vivid animations and games to explain basic knowledge such as body structure and natural phenomena to children.
These applications generally require payment, and the price may be tens of dollars, and some may be variable. However, compared with traditional toys or books, they provide a more dynamic and immersive learning experience. When making a selection, parents should pay attention to whether the content of the application is scientific and whether the interaction design is friendly, and avoid products that are full of advertisements or have poor content.
The power of interactive audio stories
Simply letting children listen to stories or watch animations may have limited effect. Nowadays, many audiobook applications have added interactive links, for example, allowing children to click on the screen to help the story characters solve problems. Such a method can transform children from passive reception to active participation.
In this process, parent involvement is extremely critical. You can discuss the storyline with your children or expand it based on the application content. For example, after reading a story about animals, the child can be led to the zoo for on-site observation, connecting the virtual experience with the real world.
Get in touch with traditional culture through games
Some institutions have begun to use digital technology to convey traditional culture to children. The application developed by the Palace Museum is a good example. It uses gamification to help children understand the life conditions of ancient palaces. Such applied games are usually free, and the content covered has been reviewed by experts and is not only interesting but also informative.
Through these applications, children can build their initial impression of history and culture during play. For children aged 9 to 11, such a relaxing method can stimulate their interest more than boring textbooks, thus laying the foundation for in-depth learning in the future.
Creative tools that blend virtuality and reality
Some apps encourage children to leave the screen and create offline hands-on creations. For example, one app will lead children to draw the outline of an animal on paper and scan it with the tablet camera to make the drawing "live". This form combines painting, technology and cognitive learning.
To carry out this process, parents need to be there to help and encourage. When children see their creations moving on the screen, they can not only gain a sense of accomplishment, but also more intuitively understand some scientific principles, such as the methods or principles on which animations are formed.
Strategy game to develop logical thinking
Not all tablet games are for entertainment. Some well-designed puzzle games can train children's logical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Such games generally have cute painting styles and simple rules. However, the level design is exquisite and wonderful, requiring children to use their brains to think.
Parents can challenge levels with their children, turning the game process into an opportunity for parent-child communication. When children encounter stuck situations, we do not directly give answers, but guide them to observe and think. Sometimes the ideas children use when solving problems can surprise adults.
Balancing screen time with authentic experiences
Although there are benefits to high-quality applications, it is still critical to control the time of use. In this regard, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children aged 2 to 5 years old should not use electronic devices for more than one hour a day. Because staring at the screen for a long time is very likely to have an impact on vision development and sleep quality.
For parents, it is necessary to set clear rules, such as being allowed to play for up to 20 minutes after meals, or being allowed to use tablets only on weekends. More importantly, it is necessary to properly and reasonably arrange a variety of offline activities, such as outdoor sports, reading paper books, making handicrafts, etc., so that children can maintain a healthy balance between the digital world and the real world.
When you are choosing a children's education app, what is most important to you is its fun, knowledge content, or whether it can promote parent-child interaction? You are welcome to share your experiences and opinions in the comment area. If you find the article helpful, please support it by giving it a like.
