While we limit Mio’s screen time as well as how much time she spends on our tablets, we do let her have fun playing with some of the interactive games and educational apps. Her favorite apps on the iPad recently have been the ones from Bamba — namely the ice cream parlor and the burger shop (the ones that are free). They are really engaging and fun apps for kids and adults alike: with the ice cream parlor, you can customize what ice cream flavors and toppings you want to sell in your shop, and create an ice cream cone or sundae out of them; with the burger shop, you can customize what type of bread you use and what to put inside the burger, drink, and even the type of french fries. Mio’s quickly gotten the hang of how the apps work that while we were watching her play on them the other day, Dan commented that it was scary how good she’s gotten at playing with the apps. I know I’ve said this before, but kids of this generation will grow up so much tech-savvier!

Here are some videos of her playing with the apps…

Bamba Ice Cream:

Bamba Burger:

I’m uncertain of whether to be impressed that Mio already can thoroughly play with the apps and know exactly what to do, or to be concerned. Again, I really believe that kids’ exposure to devices like iPads and smartphones should be limited and that they’re kind of in the same category as TV/movies — they shouldn’t get too much time with them, and such media and technology certainly shouldn’t become a child’s babysitter. I do think, however, that it’s okay to get some limited and supervised time for children to play with such technology. As long as it’s regulated, I don’t think it is that harmful, especially if they are playing with apps/games that are education and/or offer interaction and teach certain things.

I’m also reassured by the fact that despite Mio being drawn to our mobile devices, she still prefers to play with books, her play kitchen, blocks, and dollhouse more than anything. Nothing can ever replace the value of actual tactile toys and books — they are the best at stimulating children and opening up their imaginative world. My hope is that she’ll continue to make that sort of playtime a priority over whatever new-fangled gadgets that technology coughs up. It’s also a valuable lesson for us grownups (Dan and I admittedly spend a little too much time on our own devices and the computer) to take a break, be present, and enjoy the actual world around us, as opposed to the virtual one at our fingertips.

Here’s an additional video of Mio learning her ABCs with Leapfrog’s Fridge Phonics — she loves playing with this, and goes over to play with it several times everyday! It’s also a lifesaver while I’m cooking and preparing meals for her. 🙂 She’s already learned a few of the letters — not only how to say the letter, but the phonetic sound they make. Such an awesome toy!