My 3.5 year old daughter knows how to unlock my IPhone.  It’s not as easy as you think for a child.  This means she is able to drag a bar from left-to-right and then enter in a 4-PIN digit to unlock it.  She’s known how to do this for some time now and she knows how to launch a youTube application and find cartoons.  INCREDIBLE!

So, the obvious is unavoidable.  The usage of technology and handheld devices in and around the house.  I don’t bar my children from using technology, I merely moderate.  I have a few games (like strategy games and chess and SIMS 3) on my IPhone which I don’t really like my daughter accessing, and so I came across this REALLY COOL and CUTE IPhone application for Toddlers created by a site called HippoHooray!  The graphics are adorable and there’s a little voice that congratulates the child when they correctly identify letters or shapes.

It teaches children basic colours, shapes and letters and is really meant for children without the unnecessary grown-up stuff.  So while she enjoys playing with my IPhone, that’s cool - but at least she’ll be playing with age-appropriate games that are designed to help her learn and grow in her capacity.  If you’ve got an IPhone, try it!

Check out their site here:  www.hippohooray.com