Books Don’t Need Batteries

Miles is almost 4! Some of his interests include studying nature artifacts, taping things to the wall, drawing, painting, numbers and adding, dance parties, going on walks and bike rides, and “reading” books.

Once a day, or maybe twice depending on the type of day, he is allowed to watch an approved show on our family television. While he watches, he sometimes sits, full absorbed. But most other times, he plays with his toys or has a conversation with us. He asks us about show, and the experience is shared by the family.

Now, if he was watching on a tablet or a phone, that would be a another thing entirely.

Tablets deliver a different experience than a television. The type of stimulation they provide is similar to that of an addictive substance. In fact, using a tablet or a mobile device ignites the very same receptors in the brain as cocaine does!

Tablet use also has been said to “rewire children’s brains,” making it difficult for kids to attend to slower-paced information.

Miles and his little brother will not be using tablets until their brains develop to a fuller extent. They and all children do not need to be exposed to such an absorbing type of technology, one that has countless studied negative outcomes, such as the impairment of social skills, inhibited awareness of the world around them, and impaired speech development.

Of course, tablet technology is here to stay because it is inherently useful. But it’s just not for kids.

Please don’t be fooled by all these fun looking apps and “research driven” movements to get kids on devices earlier. Their sweet little brains just aren’t ready for it yet. And please audit your own tech use, because your babies are watching you.

Be present with them.

And let them be kids.

💚Ali