Should preschools use electronic toy? In the magazine article, American Teacher, Betty Robinson-Harris says: "Yes, they're a tool to help close the achievement gap." Julie Henderson says: "No, young minds deserve a better environment. Many theorist believe young children learn by using concrete materials and through repetitive manipulation of those objects. that means early childhood classrooms must have a rich source of toys available for children to touch, feel, and manipulate in a variety of ways so that young minds will learn the concepts and remember them. Most electronic toy, I believe, fail to meet this standard.
Children play with electronic toys by themselves, for the most part, and the play the toys offer is usually predictable, almost scripted. That's a big shortcoming in the classroom. Imaginative play is extremely important in a preschooler's development; classrooms must be loaded with toys that promote this activity. Because many electronic toys are played in isolation, there is little verbalization or social interaction with other children. That's a big shortcoming.
Children also must learn how to articulate their thoughts, needs, wants and knowledge. Children must verbally demonstrate knowledge, and teachers and parpprofessionals must provide activities that enhance that verbal development. Unfortunately, the solitary play that electronic games typical offer does not help children learn these key skills. What do you think?
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I agree with you that electronic toys have very little to offer. I have always shied away from buying them as gifts for children and always cringed when my own children got them as presents. There are already too many things out there that hamper children's imaginative play, such as TV, computers, and handheld games. One more thing, the electronic toys often make the worst noises. Before buying one as a gift, one should ask if they'd like to hear the sounds over and over again. Only an enemy would buy a noisy toy for their friend's child.
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