Technology is a valuable tool in generating activities that can be utilized to boost cognitive growth, social, emotional, physical, and language development, and general well-being in children. By incorporating intelligence and communication ideas into their play, children can express their creativity and solve challenges. Even though studies of the dynamic interaction between brain growth processes from childhood to adolescence have claimed that technology-augmented play materials are only temporary. However, because of human prevalent engagement with technologically enhanced tools, augmented technology material has been shown to influence brain development. Today, the use of technology has fostered involvement, participation, and enjoyable activities. According to research, play can be utilized to increase learning and to solve issues, and its significance in fostering human brain growth (Brunner, Jolly, and Sylva (1976).
Children’s cognitive growth can be achieved through social interactions from guided learning within the zone of “proximal development” when educators or caregivers build a program for children to learn and gain knowledge (Lev Vygotsky). If these needs are not satisfied appropriately, kids may perform less well in an educational setting. With the participation of technology and the use of digital applications, children and teenagers can increase their knowledge pleasantly by employing diverse approaches and technical visual aids to help learning. For example, using Legos, puzzles, blocks, and chess demands a tremendous amount of critical thinking, strategic planning, and problem-solving abilities. As such, consistent practice can help you improve your cognitive function, making you more intellectually cognizant.
In Jean Piaget’s study, “equilibration, accommodation, and assimilation” are three sequential steps in the learning process, which is an adaptation to environmental stimuli. Students integrate knowledge by incorporating their observations and experiences into the logic of preexisting or evolving understandings (Piaget Pg. 80). Piaget introduced the idea of equilibration to describe how current information is balanced with old knowledge through assimilation processes. When students are assisted with visual aids, they are more likely to fit in and grasp a new subject using diverse ways. For example, utilizing an entertaining app to explain a specific arithmetic idea.
As the brain ages, more fibers form and the brain becomes more interconnected. These interconnected networks of neurons are critical for memory formation and connecting new learning to past learning. It is critical to grasp how to use technology to our advantage. The dynamic interaction of technology-augmented toys and devices with play/brain development, such as phones with apps, video games, and talking toys, computers, influences the broad domain capacity of the neutrally plastic brain, resulting in many ”potentials” (bates, 2005) of possibilities.
For example, infant social development is aided by activating “mirror neurons” with their parents and caregivers from birth and by using their senses to engage with the world. The neutron function allows the child to convert visual information into a comprehension of others by imitating behavioral activities. It is a continuation of accommodation described by Piaget as imitation by repeating a previously learned activity.
Furthermore, adults, children, educators, and families learn to navigate digital platforms, utilize productive resources, cooperate online, and successfully communicate via digital mediums because of technology. People who have difficulty conceptualizing ideas in skills acquisition can now digest knowledge utilizing visual aid support that are manipulatives in a fun method-run learning workshop thanks to the usage of technology. Play serves information on therapy, finding pleasure, and bonding.
The incorporation and implementation of technology that performs digital games and representation styles aided in the learning, development, and dissemination of information. Children learn to play individually and in groups utilizing augmented tools and toys, which has aided in the development of social-emotional and physical abilities. Children’s and adults’ literacy, vocabulary, cognitive abilities, and problem-solving skills are improved with technology. For instance, artificial intelligence and vocabulary games in the form of apps have helped build and expand vocabulary. Adults now find ways to have fun, relieve stress, and get informed as well. The introduction of social media, technical play, pretend games and toolsets has assisted in modeling moral growth when we pretend or take on roles like Superman, engineers, firefighters, or medical practitioners.
The usage of technology has aided in brain development, task simplification, learning facilitation, and increased productivity, efficiency, and emotional bonding. Games are a way to learn new things, build and expand knowledge and abilities, to mix thought and action, and the internet has provided them with opportunities to grow and develop intellectually. While play is relative, there is no limit to how play and its contribution to growth and development can be over-emphasized.
