What, I wonder, is this Learning Table teaching? He happily stands in the corner and makes noise, but he certainly isn't learning his colors, numbers, letters, shapes, and musical chords. I'm teaching him those things from our books, walks, nursery rhymes, and picnics. Are Leap Frog Learning Tables really intended to help kids learn, or just to pacify them so they leave their caretakers alone? Perhaps they are more beneficial for older children? I don't know. I would appreciate your opinions on the subject.
Toys are great. Kids need independent time to play. Let's see toys for what they are though, and not market them as the fountain of knowledge. There isn't a substitute for a human teacher for children.
7 comments:
No one will agree with you more than I do. In my experience, the best toys for small people are ones that don't try to teach by talking. I've never seen a 1-year-old listen carefully to the words or sounds.
Children need to be about 3 years old before they want to listen. My youngest played records as he followed along with books (it was Star Wars). One of my grandsons learned (Leap Frog) all the states and capitals by the time he was 4. Their brains, interests, and attention spans were ready by then.
You're ideas about conversation, reading, nursery rhymes, and songs will be far more valuable. You are an excellent example for young mothers.
Great post! My little Alex has similar toys which Adam (my 3 year old) plays with even more frequently. Unfortunately, even a 3 year old doesn't really know to let one song finish before the next starts. I very much agree that these toys are meant more to pacify the kids, which they do, and I am always grateful for those mommy-less moments.
Even still, I love watching Alex rearrange my decorative candles for the umpteenth time, just trying to figure out how to stack something. I love to watch him try to catch the cat, just to discover - again - that she really doesn't like him. I love to watch him dump out a bag of crackers and then carefully put them all back in. I believe these are the experiences that will really teach my son. Toys are fun, but they are not really for learning.
I totally agree. After Charlie had learned a few shapes and colors, it was then that I could point it out on his leap frog table and he recognized it. But it is definitely all buttons and noises otherwise. I much more enjoy teaching him myself.
I couldn't agree more! Babies and Toddlers need human interaction and nothing will teach them more then a loving parent!! I don't even like spending money on toys. Kids can be entertained with almost anything and you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars when just banging a stick on an empty carton of milk turns into a drum! Imagination is something that I hope never goes away! It scares me with all the tv watching and video game playing that goes on. We are taking away our kids chance to be creative
I remember that at sometime/somewhere in my teaching career, kids started being labeled with attention deficit. I had some trouble buying into it, because where was this coming from? I thought it was a great way to excuse bad behavior. As kids[my generation], it wasn't allowed/mentioned. But we didn't watch a lot of tv, didn't have computer screens to stare at, and visual stimulation didn't happen at such a rapid pace.We played together outside,etc. Then I read an article that said that babies/toddlers before age 3 who watched a lot of tv actually were affected by it in that the pathways within brain development were different. It kind of made sense to me.
Before two, I used the playpen as a 'play' place-blocks, cars, etc. Then my son and I shared puzzles, books, records, and other kids to play with. He did watch Sesame St. I agree that today's tv, video games, computer games,etc. are stifling creativity, and that the kids are getting 'stupider and stupider!'
Wow...that was long-winded, but it is a cause in which I have a definite opinion.
I understand your argument 100%. Having that same frustration I began noticing that while he wasn't "soaking up" the songs and/or letters, numbers, etc. He did learn to manipulate, twist and turn the gears by himself as well as figured the toy out. NOW it's something he can learn from because the initial shock of the "bells and whistles" are out of the way...
If you get a game for practically free at the thrift store and it is intended to give your child some temporary discovery it is a worthwhile toy for you and him too!
I think sponsors of Little games for kids are just leading them into big games for big kids.
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