Tablets have been growing in popularity the past couple of years. From Nooks, to Kindles, to iPads, children are seeing more of these options advertised on TV and they’re finding their way on Christmas lists everywhere. While some parents may feel like it’s a huge expense, others are finding these electronics to be of a huge educational benefit, allowing their children to not only play games but read their favorite stories. Growing up, I obviously got the traditional books, paperback or hardcover. I loved to read and learn, but didn’t have half of these new developments.
Amazon recently acquired Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books, making a leap to target children as well as their parents. However, child development experts are wondering if eReaders and tablets are for children, or are traditional the better option. The Washington Post weighs the benefits of both traditional books and eBooks.
[Traditional books] can vary in shape and size and texture “” consider how much fun it is to touch-and-feel fuzzy books together or lift the flap to find out who is hiding behind the door or jump to the last page to see if you guessed the story’s ending.
[eBooks] already present other types of exploration and experiences that traditional books typically do not, for example, in the form of animated illustrations and recorded narration.
What do you think? Are eBooks better or do traditional books have your vote?
Anonymous says
Great question! I tried to read to my son from the Bible on my iPad and he promptly told me that thing is not the Bible thats an IPad. So when he is nearby, I use the actual Bible or books. On the other hand, he uses the IPad every morning to work on his math, his words and writing his letters. So they both have their place. But neither can replace the other IMO.
Briana Myricks says
“Neither can replace the other”. Such a great statement. Never saw it that way but it’s certainly true.
Niambi says
I think for foundational reasons children should read traditional books and then use technology to help supplement what they are learning. I remember being in school and we had calculators but we always had to do the math problems by hand. Yes using the calculator would have been easier but doing the math problems by hand was important because it helped us to understand what we were doing and better analyze the problems. I am afraid that nowadays too much technology would cause children to be too dependent on computers for answers instead of them learning knowledge and using wisdom to apply what they have learned in their lives.
Briana Myricks says
You make a great point Niambi! I remember growing up I always wondered why we had calculators yet had to work the problems out ourselves. So books and tablets work the same way.