Getting started: Exercise 1, Should young children have a leapPad, p. 6
Write your introduction
These days, LeapPads are becoming increasingly popular as Christmas presents. They are cheaper than iPads and give family members some peace. However, psychologists warn that such toys are hindering children’s development and they should not be encouraged. It is preferable to find constructive toys and parents must continue to interact with their children.
Write two body paragraphs
Parents should not give two or three-year-old children a LeapPad for Christmas because it hinders their social skills. Whilst such toys are becoming more popular then traditional toys such as Lego, they should not be encouraged. Certainly, they are a convenient baby-sitting tool, but parents must think carefully about the consequences and the likelihood of addiction. As psychologist Dr Ari Sitwell states, such tools hinder their socialisation process and are producing a generation of children addicted to technology and who lack fundamental social skills before they go to kindergarten. In particular, playing on a LeapPad is a lonely way to spend time, and as a consequence, children may not acquire the necessary social skills such as cooperation and negotiation. (They will not acquire appropriate social and team-building skills.) This is certainly a deplorable situation, but one that is becoming common. For example, four-year old Benjamin was given a Leappad two years ago and his social skills have not developed. He relates on a very infantile way to other children and is unable to share toys. Children who are brought up on LeapPads will become self-indulgent and anti-social. They will become introverted, aloof techno-addicted freaks.
Furthermore, if children become obsessed with such technological pastimes, their physical abilities will be delayed. These are solitary pursuits that do not encourage physical activities. Perhaps this is why Benjamin’s physical development was delayed and he could not perform simple tasks in the kindergarten playground. He also wears glasses because of obsessive screen viewing.
Write your rebuttal
On the other hand, many people support presents such as Leadpads claiming that they are preferable because they do not have internet access and that they do have some educational value. (Counter punch) However, retailers who are marketing such toys as a desirable tool are guided by commercial profit. This is unethical and retailers should focus on toys that are constructive and helpful to a child’s development. Surely, at the price of $169 there are some more appropriate toys that would facilitate a child’s social and physical development and provide fun for the whole family – not just one person interacting in an isolated corner.
Write your conclusion
Sum up why such toys are inappropriate.
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