Babies don’t need high-tech gadgets
THE book Too Much Too Soon tells parents not to cart their babies to baby yoga, the baby gym, baby music lessons and baby swimming classes.
It’s all too much for their infant brains and turns them into “mini adults”. Let me add my tuppenceworth: don’t let baby play on your iPad either.
Yes, he’ll get the hang of pressing the buttons. Yes, he’ll be fascinated, absorbed and mesmerised. Yes, he’ll appear to enjoy it. Resist anyway.
Babies learn in a quiet, deliberate and particular way. They pick up a crumb, drop it, pick it up again, roll it between their fingers, stick it in their ear or try to eat it.
Their brains are not ready to respond to flashing colours, whirring noises and instant high-tech gratification at the merest touch of a tiny finger.
Don’t fool yourself you’re doing them a favour exposing them to hand-held gadgets. You’re doing the very opposite.