Carrie Rogers-Whitehead tackles a hydra: technology.
It's inescapable, necessary, and unconquerable.
Parents must learn how to live with it, manage it, and use its best features.

Here are some takeaways:

"They rolling over around 6 months of age, sitting up at 9 months, and starting to stand. At 6-9 months, your child may get clingy, which can be difficult."

"Babies are born with a prefrontal cortex, but it's not truly online until their 20s."

"If your child is upset....
4 months: Look at them & smile
6 months: Sing them a song
9 months: Play peek-a-boo
1 year: Play pat-a-cake
18 months: Give them crayons and paper to scribble
2 years: Sing a song with actions, with 'Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes'
2.5 years: Ask them a question, such as what is an object called, the color of an object, or what they can see
3 years: Have them take a deep breath then count their breaths to 10.

Many parents hope to raise children who are prosocial, who share, are empathetic, can play as a team, and demonstrate kindness. Can media help young children's social development? Mostly, no.

The AAP says for babies 4+ months old: "Do not rush in to soothe a crying baby."

"Parents should also not rush to hand a child a device when they cry. Like sleep, they need to learn to calm themselves."

"Infants learn words through singing, and some research suggests that babies under a year old prefer when their caregivers sing to them rather than just speak."

"Children can't learn from screens until they are closer to age 3."

"Screen time is an opportunity cost. It's a coping mechanism; a flawed one, but not the worst."

Brains On Podcast is good for kids.

Good toys:
- KaiBot
- Snap Circuits
- Code-a-pillar
- Bee-Bot
- Cubetto

PBS's "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood" is good

DnDGPT is an AI that makes D&D campaigns.

CONCLUSION: Parents must make judgment calls when it comes to managing tech with their littles. This book helps.

DISCLOSURE: The publisher gave me an ARC.

One of the most detailed books about the use of technology by and around little ones.
The author offers tips and strategies like songs, which I had not encountered elsewhere.
I was not a 100% fan of the writing tone and all of the tips but there are many creative solutions to some problems with the children’s screen time beyond the common sense.

Overall, the book was well written and I did really enjoy it. Thank you for this advance reading copy!

this book was okay! I felt like it was a bit judgey and felt like it did not really give good perspective on this controversial issue, but was kind of condescending in it's tone. Overall, I will take some tips away from it, but would not really recommend the whole book

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!