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Techno-toddlers skype their parents

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Toddlers are skyping their parents and emailing their drawings as technology links the playroom to the office.

Tablet devices are becoming as common as books at some early childhood education centres, as teachers embrace technology.

Education research organisation Core has reported a significant leap in just the past year of centres adopting the latest gadgets.

Core facilitator Tara Fagan said the iPad offered new opportunities for children.

"Children can skype their parents at work. That's something that hasn't been done before. With an iPad or iPod touch it can be where the child is: 'Look mum – look what I've made in the sandpit'."

Toddlers are also able to email a painting or draw a picture for their parents at work. Some toddlers are even becoming more skilled at using an iPad than parents, as the technology reaches into early education childhood centres.

Fagan said she had heard of children teaching the teachers how to change fonts or adapt a picture.

Those children find tablets natural to use because of the intuitive touch screen.

"They have no fear and it's that playfulness of children that they explore and experiment and find possibilities of what they can do, and sometimes a lot quicker than adults can."

Children are also working together as older children mentor younger ones.

Fagan dismissed fears that children will ditch traditional toys for technology like tablets and computers.

"If that's all the child was doing – sitting on an iPad – I'd have real concerns. In the same way I'd have concerns if the child only sat in front of the television or played with playdoh.

"iPads are never going to replace traditional learning areas – that's one thing we've found. It's just a different tool."

Source: Stuff.co.nz

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