Striking a balance between fun and education

Top 5 Do’s and Don’ts for Today’s Modern Parent

San Diego, CA (August 2007) – The toy industry [and parents] have come to identify the growing interest in computers expressed by young children. According to In-Stat, a market research firm, “the worldwide market for ‘edutainment’ toys reached $1.7 billion in 2005 and could possibly total $5.5 billion by 2010.” The toy industry is fast expanding to join the technological trend; and today’s modern, ambitious parents are feeding the growing demand for electronic interactive toys.  However, there is still debate over the developmental merits of “edutainment” toys for toddlers. The makers of the award-winning Comfy Easy PC, a specialized keyboard and software set for children 1 to 5, want to help parents navigate the “edutainment” toy market by offering the Top 5 Toddler and Computer Do’s and Don’ts for Today’s Modern Parent.      
Complied by the Comfy Pedagogical House (CPH), a specialized team of child psychologists, educators, researchers and development experts behind the Comfy Easy PC, offer the following user-friendly tips that will help parents make the right choices when introducing computer related toys to their toddlers. By following the five Do’s, and avoiding the five Don’ts, parents can create an environment for their toddler that is fun and conducive to learning vital skills.
The Comfy Pedagogical House suggests:

TOP FIVE DO’s

Make computer time shared, quality time

Be there for your child's new experiences and allow your child to interact with you, not just the computer, so that you can explore the technological territory together. By joining your child in making discoveries, via this channel of learning, you encourage your child to share the joys of new accomplishments and create new opportunities to have fun with your child. It’s important and crucial to accompany the process and be full partners in your child’s computer experience. In addition to the feedback that the software provides, parents should definitely provide positive significant feedback to their children through sound and words.

Choose a program/software that fits your child’s development level and skill set

When selecting software, consider your child's interests, age and abilities. Those that own the Comfy Easy PC can consult Comfy's software finder, which serves as a professionally approved guide in choosing the appropriate software product for your child. Comfy is proud to provide aid, but only you can choose what's best for your child. Also, it’s a good idea to view and play the all games before your child. An early familiarity with the software enables the parent to understand its advantages and disadvantages and to foresee any difficulties or needed skills for operation. Comfy’s Software Finder: http://www.comfyland.com/software.

Connect the activities in the computer games to real-life situations and activities

Encourage your child to relate their computer game experiences to life experiences, teaching them skills applicable to everyday life, and helping them to better understand the world in which they live. Games can enrich young children with stimulating vocabulary, music, stories, conversation, and other interactive elements, all of which can be found in computer games. When spending quality time with your child on the computer, identify the activities in which the child shows interest, and help to build upon such interests/skills that could benefit the child on and off the computer. Help your child use the computer as a tool to appreciate various elements of real-life activities that they have yet to experience (drawing, singing, dancing, etc.).

Encourage the expanding of abilities and interests

Being exposed to spoken language and rich vocabulary through songs, stories, and conversation is highly significant in early childhood; and many computer games offer this opportunity. Advise your child to try something new, or attempt a challenging activity in the program, in order to promote development along with fun and games. By exploring new frontiers on the computer, the child's curiosity and inclination to investigate the surrounding world increases as well as fosters a delight in discovery and challenge – instilling a yearning for progress.

Maintain a sense of fun, without too strong a focus on learning.

Emphasize the fun and excitement of games, so the child will enjoy using the computer; yet still learn in the process. If too strong an emphasis is placed upon the learning component, the child may lose sight of the enjoyment and shy away. Always make sure your child is having fun with the computer activities.

TOP FIVE DON’TS

An initial fear was that computers would replace other early childhood activities. Research shows that computer activities yield the best results when coupled with suitable off-computer activities. We recommend purchasing computer software that emphasizes complementary activities in additional environments. Kids and parents can also receive ideas in relation to “off screen” activities connected to the child’s favorite Comfy software title through our developmental chart – provided at www.comfyland.com.

Let your child initiate interest in computers

Computers should not be forced on toddlers. Due to the contribution of play to children’s development, it is important to maintain an experience of fun and excitement while playing and not overemphasize the learning aspect. The best method for children to learn from is through playing. In opposition, a rigid teaching of knowledge may cause lack of responsiveness, reduction of natural curiosity and withdrawal.

One size does not fit all

We recommend that you nurture the emotional and interpersonal ability of your kids and remember that there is no one single correct way to play, you should try to find the way that works for you and your kids.

Computer sessions should not go past half-hour, each session.

It is recommended that the parent set limits to the extent of computer use and to allocate proper time frames. Children require a variety of experiences; physical activities in open space, meeting other figures, various experiences near a desk and handwork. Introducing toddlers to computers is an important experience, yet it should not be the sole focus in their lives.

Children under 9 months should not play on the computer

Wait until your child is at least 9 months old before you introduce them to computers during the first year of life, the sense of sight is refined and toddlers begin to develop motor abilities that allow more mobility and active exploration of the world. When toddlers approach their first year, most of them are able to cope with the flood of information, as well as walk their first steps of independence, and manifest a higher verbal understanding than expression. However, it is still important not to set frustrating challenges and to check that the software is fitted for the toddler’s skill set/development level.

For additional parenting tips on how to safely play with your toddler on the computer or to schedule an interview with a member of Comfy’s Pedagogical House, contact Karen Klein comfy’s International Sales and Marketing Manager at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Comfy’s Pedagogical House designed the Comfy Easy PC system based on its 3C Development Cycle.  The 3C Developmental Cycle focuses on Curiosity, Challenge and Confidence as a means of encouraging and enriching young children’s natural stages of growth and development. The theory behind this cycle is that the Easy PC system will engage children natural curiosity, stimulate them by presenting them with appropriate challenges and build their self-confidence and their sense of capability by enabling them control and allowing them to learn and progress at their own natural pace, while constantly receiving positive feedback.