This to me is a good moment to address this topic. It is christmas break.Schools, in most parts of the globe have closed and our learners are spending quality time home, waiting for father christmas. This is also that moment of the year when gifts and toys are being shared. So I thought it useful to share with the very many Santa Clauses spread around the globe getting ready to distribute gifts to our children,some ideas on ŕeimagining their choices(even against the kids' wishes) to suit the century's demands.
The constant call to digital awareness is sure a cause for concern but how do we take action?Do you know about the existence and dangers of "stupefying" toys?
Toys which limit our children's imaginations could be classified as thus.Examples of such toys include guns and dolls.
Creating digital awareness through toys is the use of intractive toys and play experiences to promote children's understanding and responsible use of digital technologies.Some examples of such toys would be toys that teach children about various aspects of the digital world from coding to robotics and from solution solving to internet safety and digital citizenship.
Encouraging children to use digital toys can have several potential benefits eventhough it's important to strike a balance and consider context and circumstances.
Importance of digital toys to children
● Many digital toys offer educational content that can provide interactive lessons, problem-solving activities, and engaging educational games that promote cognitive development and academic skills.
● Digital toys can help children develop various skills, such as hand-eye coordination, problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, and logical reasoning.
● Digital toys connected to the internet can provide children with access to a vast amount of information. They can learn about different cultures, history, science, and other subjects through interactive platforms, promoting curiosity and expanding their knowledge.
● Some digital toys offer multiplayer options, allowing children to connect and interact with friends or other players remotely. This can help foster social skills, collaboration, and teamwork, even if they are physically apart.
● In today's increasingly digital world, it's important for children to develop digital literacy skills from an early age.
Caution
it's however crucial to maintain a balanced approach and consider the potential disadvantages associated with excessive digital toy use such as excessive screen time which should be limitted for health and social reasons, indifference to physical play, no content selection which gives them access to bad content.
The goal of digital awareness through toys is to empower children to become active and responsible participants in the digital world. By providing them(the boys and the girls) with engaging and educational play experiences, children can gradually develop the necessary skills and knowledge of digital literacy.
Dear Santa Claus,after reading this, you should know which toy is useful for your child, no matter their gender.Go for those!
See below some links of websites that sell digital toys.You can cintextualise tbe images and go for one them this christmas.
Merry Christmas!