As Gadgets Replace Toys, What's In it For Kids?

  Dave Taylor [11.06.05 02:17 PM]

I've been thinking about this for a long time, actually, Tim, and write about the intersection of kids, technology and imagination (among other topics) on my parenting weblog. If I may point people to a single, highly relevant article:

http://www.APparenting.com/amazing_amanda_crushes_imagination_with_servos_and_rfid.html

I think you'll be particularly interested as it talks about how RFID systems make an even smarter doll, for better or worse...

  Stephanie Rieger [11.06.05 07:50 PM]

What we need are toys that allow kids to build technology related skills and a general understanding of technology while offering them opportunities for interaction with their peers or other members of the family. Some toys do this already ("read an electronic story with your child") but few address the issue of kids as content creators -- past the rudimentary "take a picture" or "personalize" your blog with a wallpaper of branded character "x". And lets not assume that Disney/other media companies will magnanimously turn the DRM off on products for kids either.

What we need are products that empower kids to create content, share content (legally), experiment with programming and authoring and enjoy technology in general. Think "digital" versions of the science kits, lego and construction sets we had as kids :-)

And please lets not make all of it overly childish and break UI conventions just to make it look more "fun". After all, lots of kids are already using adult tools on their own. But i'm sure we're also leaving lots of less "tech-savvy" kids/families/teachers out by offering them nothing but adult tools.

  Jim Basman [11.06.05 10:25 PM]

When I have to go to Mcdonald's with my kids I'm not quite sure if it is a hamburger restaurant with gadgets for kids or a toy shop with associated food services ...

  Pedro Beltrao [11.07.05 09:06 AM]

Kids will be kids. I think playfulness is very much innate and kids will find ways to play with whatever we put in their hands. We don't need to teach kids how to play. What worries me is if some of these tech objects are not emphasing enough the need to play in a creative and social manner but this must be requested by the parents.

  Hadley Stern [11.08.05 10:53 AM]

I think a lot of this type of thinking is pure nostalgia. Remember when everything was simpler? I agree with Pedro, kids will be kids. Whether it is playing with an empty box, a train set, a remote control truck.

The larger issue that I struggle with with my kids is television. Cultrually, we seem to be stuck in the mindset that TV, any TV, is bad. But is this entirely true? My eldest son loves Thomas the tank engine (sympathies can be sent to me by email, sometimes I feel like I live in the town of Sodor!). He reads the books (actually I read them to him), he plays with the trains endlessly, we went and rode on the train this summer, and yes, he also watching the show. Not all day, but he will watch one or two shows a day.

In this context it seems like gadget toys are just another experience children have. If anything one would think that experiencing all these diverse ways of telling stories (physical, narrative, visual, etc. would enrich our children.

I hope.

  Michael Freed [12.07.05 03:02 PM]

My sense from watching my own kids (5 and 2) is that most gadgets get put aside pretty quickly. Specifically, they seem to like relatively inert things they can manipulate, build from or use as props much more than devices that beep, sing or otherwise "perform." I've come to think of gadgets as designed for adults who need to buy a gift and don't want to appear cheap buying the $2.00 cans of Play-Doh that the kids really like.