Hello, Tegu Readers!
As you know, a child’s educational and cognitive development is a topic of interest for Tegu, and we truly believe (and research has shown) that block play is highly beneficial for such development. As such, we’d like to comment on a fascinating article from the New York Times.
Hardcore gamers!
The topic of choice today is the overwhelming presence of technologies in our lives and its potential to permanently alter the way our brains function. This New York Times article, “Your Brain on Computers, Hooked on Gadgets, and Paying a Mental Price”, likens the stimulation provided by computers to that of food or sex, essential but potentially harmful and counterproductive when consumed without moderation. The most noticeable symptom of a computer overdose is the inability to fully enjoy the moment, and while that seems easy enough to shrug off, think again. Consider how many times you have felt compelled to interrupt time with loved ones to respond to the alert sounding from your cell phone or have slept with your phone/computer in or within reach of your bed. Our culture’s use of technology trains us to consistently multitask but we are then unable to stop multitasking. The stimulation of a new alert, whether it be an email or text, provokes an addictive rush of excitement and often an immediate prioritization. Technology is rewiring our brains, for better and for worse, and we need to proceed with caution. We would like to focus attention on what we consider to be the most striking and contemplation-worthy segment of the article: the effect on children. The brains of children are still developing and already tend to be impulsive so it seems only logical that a culture of constant digital stimulation is tied to an inability to concentrate on individual tasks. Parents need to work hard to ensure a balance for their child or risk reducing the child’s ability to perform well academically, as the ability to focus and concentrate is crucially important inside the classroom.
A constant bombardment of technology has become the norm and educated consumers need to stand their own ground. Ways to remedy this situation are putting your cell phones on silent during family time, allocating time for minimal digital intrusion, and encouraging individual organic play over a high-tech babysitter. We really support these behaviors in the hopes of raising highly-productive, imaginative, and eager-to-learn children. Play away!
To check out some of these blocks in action…. Lily Builds A Robot!
Original design created entirely by Tegu Honduras team!
