Well-programmed media can have benefits for young kids, but mainly when an adult is actively participating in the experience. Find apps to play together, and talk about the experience. Read books. Build stories. Use your own imagination and creativity to connect the technology and the real world with hands-on activities. At the very least, show interest in what your child is playing – watch and talk.

Melanie Stetson Freeman/The Christian Science Monitor
Kristen Chase, reviews kids touchscreen applications at coolmomtech.com, plays games on an iPad with her four children, Drew, Margot, Bridget and Quinlan.