CERTIFICATE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

COMPUTER AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS LECTURE NOTES

Advantages and Disadvantages of computers in the development of young children

Today, the world is different from what it was decades ago. Digital technology has transformed
the world, as well as childhood. One out of three internet users worldwide is a child, and young
people are more connected than other age groups,
Advantages
 Fine-tune fine-motor skills.
 Introduces educational skills
 Teaches spatial and logical skills
 Prepares children for future computer use
 Increases self-esteem and self-confidence
 Boosts problem-solving skills
 Stimulates language comprehension
 Improves long-term memory and manual dexterity
Disadvantages

Limits interaction with people

The main disadvantage of computer to children is that it limits social interaction. A toddler need to
interact with people, especially kids of his age to acquire his or her social skills and learn empathy.

Too Much Stimulation

Bold colors, loud sounds, flashing lights and continuous action can overwhelm a toddler. This can make a
toddler irritable after a computer session and give him a hard time focusing on quieter activities such as
reading.

Impedes physical development

Too much sedentary time is not only bad for young toddler’s posture but it also limits him from moving.
Physical play is essential to toddler growth as it helps build strong muscles.

Vision problems

A toddler who spends too much time staring at a computer is at risk of having childhood computer
vision syndrome. Children are prone to this because computers require motor skills from eyes that are
still underdeveloped.