In the ever growing age of technology, there are now baby laptops and electronic toys that claim to improve children’s language skills. Despite the growing popularity of these so called educational electronic toys, recent studies are indicating that they might not stack up to their predecessors.
New research suggests that electronic toys can actually stunt a baby’s development when compared to more traditional toys, such as a simple set of blocks. A recent study, published in Journal of American Medical Association Pediatrics, found that the quantity and quality of a baby’s language is decreased with electronic toys in comparison to traditional toys, such as puzzles and wooden blocks.
In essence, this study was based on how many words parents said to their babies when playing with them using either electronic toys or traditional toys. Parents said significantly more words per minute to their child with traditional toys. Further, the study also revealed that babies vocalized less when playing with electronic toys—gadgets such a baby laptop, a talking farm, and a baby mobile phone. Although these baby gadgets were advertised as educational toys that promote language development, this study found that traditional toys better increased parental communication and child vocalization. Even though these interactions involved a lot of baby babble, researchers suggest that baby talk ultimately lays the groundwork for long-term literacy skills. Traditional toys appeared to also further teach role-playing and promote social skills such as how to take turns.
Dr. Irina Verenikina has also researched digital play, such as iPad apps, and found that it can limit a child’s learning experience by imposing sounds and noises and not engaging all of the senses. This study aligns with the growing body of research that is expressing concern regarding the effect of electronic toys on a child’s development and overall health. The results perhaps offer a basis for discouraging the purchase of electronic toys that are both expensive and not as educational as the alternative.