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Are Computers Helpful or Harmful as Homeschool Resources?

Throughout the world today, it is not very easy to find a home, business or school that does not have at least one computer. Within the last decade, many schools have replaced their traditional equipment and instructional tools with advanced technology and mobile devices. Many parents are using mobile tablets to read magazines and storybooks to their toddlers. When it comes to homeschooling toddlers, however, there has been an ongoing debate as to whether or not traditional resources should be replaced by the computer. This particular issue can be examined from both sides, good and bad.

The Good News

There are many different educational software packages and games that can be installed on a computer and used by toddlers as they grow. ABCMouse.com is an example of an online interactive website that is specifically designed for small children to use to enhance their development. Even though many toddlers still are not able to communicate fluently with others, there are still other key areas of growth and development that are improved through using computers as a resource. Studies have proven that using this type of educational software regularly can help toddlers learn to identify numbers and letters. These types of programs will also help toddlers to identify colors and shapes as well.
Computers can also help toddlers to develop their hand-eye coordination and motor skills overall. Another benefit that toddlers can be experience by being allowed to use computers for homeschool resources is that their problem-solving skills will be enhanced. Many critics may argue that many of the same benefits can be experienced simply by using magazines that are designed specifically for toddlers. A key difference is that magazines are not interactive like websites and software packages. There is also not very much hand-eye coordination involved either with these publications.

The Bad News

It is true that studies have confirmed that toddlers can learn a lot from computers. However, studies also prove that excessive use of electronic devices may also have some of the same negative effects as excessive television viewing. At such a young age, toddlers are just learning to connect and interact with other people. By spending too much time using computers and other electronic devices, their interactions with other people will be limited. Therefore, their social development will quickly become impaired.
Along with the impairment of a toddler's social development, he or she will also experience eyestrains and vision problems over time by excessively using computers and other electronic devices. Becoming more engaged with using computers and watching televisions can also allow small children to lose interest in engaging in playing and other physical activities. Due to the lack of regular activity, these small children may also suffer from obesity and other obesity-related health conditions. Toddlers will not be able to benefit from playing with others, but they will also not be able to benefit from playing alone either. This will prevent their imagination and overall creativity from developing properly.

Even though there are many different magazines, books and other helpful resources that can be used to teach toddlers, computers are the wave of the future. The best thing that homeschool teachers, mentors and parents can do is embrace this revolutionary change and take full advantage of everything that it has to offer. There are many different negative effects that could occur as a result of excessive use. However, that is the case with most things in life. Too much of anything is never good for anyone, regardless of their age. This is why it is important for parents to exercise control and proper management over how much their children use these electronic resources so that this tool can prove to be helpful instead of harmful.