How Technology for Children Boosts Child Development: Practical Solutions for Parents
In the digital era, technology has become a fundamental tool for children's learning and development.. Technology offers great opportunities to enhance creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, all while keeping children connected to the world around them. However, it is crucial that these tools are not overused or become a barrier to social relationships. For their impact to be positive, they must be monitored.
In this blog post, we explore how technology can be a great ally for children's development when used in a conscious and balanced wayWe provide practical solutions for parents who are uncertain about whether technology is the best tool for their children's key skill development.
The important thing is to find technology projects and tools that are truly designed to support children's learning and growth. These technologies must be created with the needs and well-being of young people in mind.and should be used in a balanced manner to foster an enriching educational experience.
With the right guidance, technology can be an ally in developing new skills and preparing children for the challenges of the future. Whether in health, entertainment or education. In this article We will learn first-hand about the main technological projects for children.
How technology affects children: positive and negative impact
The debate on children's use of technology is currently raging. Today everything is inherently digital and young people, also known as digital natives, are growing up in a world where technology is the key piece of the puzzle.. However, parents, pediatricians, psychologists and teachers are increasingly aware of the impact technology is having on children's development. Both positive and negative.
In addition, after a few years of implementing new digital tools in classrooms and educational systems, it is becoming clear that the use of these tools is becoming more and more important. impact has not been entirely positiveIs this due to the technology as such or perhaps to its indiscriminate use, without clear guidance and supervision?
In this section we want to delve into the positive and negative aspects of the use of technology by children. Where the conclusion is clear: technology has not come to replace traditional educational systems, but to enhance and enrich them with new activities. Success lies in the correct and supervised use of the technological experiences that children have, both in the classroom and at home.
If you are interested, learn more here about the Technology trends for children
Abuse of technology in children: negative impact
The abuse of technology in children can have several negative effects, especially when it is not managed properly. In the educational environment, digital learning, while useful, can depersonalizing the interaction between students and teachers, reducing the emotional and social component of teaching.
In addition, unequal access to educational devices and platforms can widening the digital divideleaving some children without the tools they need to take advantage of educational opportunities.
Outside the school environment, constant exposure to screens can lead to social isolationChildren may prefer to interact through devices rather than participate in group activities or outdoor play. Also, excessive use of technology can affect children's physical and mental health, contributing to problems such as sedentary lifestyles, sleep disturbance and digital anxiety. Especially if they are not taught to balance screen time with other activities.
Positive impact of technology on children
When used in a responsible and balanced way, technology has the potential to be a powerful tool in children's development. Regarding the technology in educationallows the access to resources and interactive platforms that facilitate more personalized and engaging learning, stimulating creativity and critical thinking. Tools such as the Virtual RealityIn addition, programming and educational games allow children to learn in a more immersive and fun way, enhancing their curiosity and understanding of complex concepts.
In addition, technology facilitates global connectivity, allowing children to interact with other children from different cultures, learn languages and access information that expands their view of the world.. Outside of education, apps and platforms designed for entertainment can also offer educational experiences, helping children develop cognitive, social and emotional skills while playing. Bottom line, when technology is used with purpose and oversight, it can enrich children's lives, preparing them for a more connected and opportunity-filled future..
The challenge lies in finding the right balance. By integrating technology in a positive and controlled way, we can ensure that children enjoy its benefits while developing key skills for a digital future.
At Imasconowe are betting on a conscious and constructive technologya humanization of technologycreating a healthy digital environment for the new generations.
How to introduce children to technology?
As we have seen in the previous section, children's use of technology is not the problem. The problem is the objective being pursued, whether these digital tools are adapted for them and if they have been developed with young people, their health and integrity in mind.
With this in mind, how do we introduce children to the correct use of technology? This is one of the big questions of the digital era. At Imascono, we believe that this challenge is crucial to its development and must be addressed with a balanced approach that combine learning, play and active parental supervision.
- A key strategy is to start gradually, providing access to age-appropriate educational apps and games. This not only curiosity, but it also fosters essential skills, such as such as problem solving and creativity.
- The active participation of parents is also essential: select appropriate content and accompany children in their digital activities to guide their experience and ensure their safety online.
- Another important point is to promote a balance between the digital world and the real worldThe aim is to combine both spaces so that the children are aware of their differences and what each one brings to them.
Encourage experimentation
The technology for children allows them to experience and learn through hands-on experience.. Encouraging the exploration of technological tools such as programming or the creation of digital content is essential to enable their learning and creative development in an effective and controlled manner.
This experimentation thanks to technology can also reach other areas, such as the business and entrepreneurship as in the case of the Ibercaja Foundation Learning to undertakewhich has both a virtual campus and a fair of cooperatives from different schools that can be accessed online.
Supervise the use of technology
It is essential that parents supervise their children's use of technology, monitoring the applications and platforms they use. With tools such as virtual tutors for children, it is possible that The youngest children can interact with, for example, Artificial Intelligence, in a controlled environment designed for them. Where inappropriate content has been filtered out and where the digital experience is intended to be educational and close to them.
An example of AI developed for children can be found at Nougatthe avatar IA storyteller of La Torre Outlet.
Providing various options
To offer a variety of experiences is key to children's development. With technology, we can encourage interaction with different tools, seeking to promote fast and effective learning in an immersive and educational way. From interactive avatars to virtual environments, to more physical experiences in the real world. One example of this is the technological development for the Rafa Nadal Museum. Where the museum experience is transformed to to turn it into a sporting event for the whole family. Playing tennis, soccer, basketball... with Rafa Nadal himself..
The benefits of technologically accompanied children
Technology for children, when used properly, offers numerous benefits that go beyond the educational realm, aiding in their cognitive, emotional and social development. Tools such as the Virtual Reality and the Augmented Reality provide immersive experiences that allow children to interact with their environment in new and stimulating ways.
A clear example of how Virtual Reality can enhance learning and development is the project developed by KAI XR, an educational VR platform for children that allows them to to know first hand the Pyramids of Egyptthe seabed and even space.
On the other hand, the Augmented Reality integrates the digital with the physical environment, allowing children to interact with virtual objects and characters in the real world. As in the case of Lacasitos Appwhere children can interact with different cartoons through its iconic tubes of chocolate dagrees.
This combination of technology makes the learning to be more attractiveIt also fosters curiosity, problem solving and the development of essential technological skills for the future. With the right accompaniment, technology becomes a powerful tool for the integral growth of children.
Adapting Technology for Children: Practical Examples from Imascono
At Imascono, we understand that technology must be a tool that not only entertains, but that also educate, inspire and support development children's integral development.
Since we launched the Chromville educational app in 2013, which at the time had more than 1 million downloads and a presence in more than 120 countries, children have always been part of the spirit and philosophy of Imascono's technology..
Together with Disney, Fundación Ibercaja and different public administrations, we have worked on the creation of innovative solutions that address diverse needs and contribute to meaningful learning. Here we would like to introduce you to some of them examples of how we adapt technology for the benefit of young people:
- Chromville → Augmented Reality educational application in which the drawings colored by the children come to life in 3D. Through its various themes (nature, technology, human body or space) children learn to develop their creativity and imagination.
- Your story in the kitchen → Can you imagine cooking your favorite dish together with Mickey Mouse, Tony Stark or Elsa? You can do it with the app Tu Cuento en la Cocina developed for Disney, Ferran Adriá and Telefónica. All through a virtual kitchen where you can play with your family and make your own recipe book in comic format.
- ApeTest → In the field of mental health, we highlight the project carried out by the APE Foundation and the Health Research Institute of Aragon, ApeTest. An interactive webapp prepared for the detection of ADD cases among children and adolescents. Adapting the traditional clinical questionnaires to the virtual world.
These projects are just a few examples of how Imascono adapts the technology for the benefit of children, creating solutions that are not only innovative, but that also foster their integral development in an environment that is environment safe and controlled.
Are you interested in learning more about how to implement new technologies in children's development? Discover our digital product lines and get in touch with us. contact with us. Our team of engineers and designers will be happy to answer all your questions.
