In all the excitement of having the royals visit The Big Apple this week, there was breaking news on the parenting front that involved another kind of Apple.
It turns out that our favorite royal toddler, Prince George, has a penchant for playing iPad games.
His father, Prince William, divulged this tidbit during a meeting with tech company littleBits, which manufactures electronic modules and magnets kids can use to make their own high tech creations. Ayah Bdeir, CEO of littleBits, told reporters that Prince William talked of his love for technology and how George likes it, too.
“He told me that his son George has been playing iPad games and loves them, and that this was a good way to teach him the inner workings of electronics,” Bdeir said.
Hmmm. While we would love to believe that the adorable, chubby-cheeked 17-month old is going to be the future Steve Jobs (as well as the future King of England), we suspect what Prince William actually meant was that George’s iPad usage was a good way to amuse him for 15 minutes so mom and dad could have their spot of tea in peace.
Because, royals: They are just like us. Even Prince William and Duchess Kate need some down time and what better way than to let their cherub master Peekaboo Barn or Busy Shapes?
Those are two games from Common Sense Media’s pick of 17 best kids’ apps for toddlers, but not surprisingly, none are recommended for kids under the age of 2.
That’s because in its guidance for screen time for children, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that “television and other entertainment media should be avoided for infants and children under age 2.”
A child’s brain develops rapidly during the first years and young children learn best by interacting with people, not screens, the AAP advises.
We are sure Prince William and Duchess Kate and all the royal nannies who help care for George are well aware of screen time guidelines and limit George’s usage. Besides, in 7 short months, he’ll be 2 and a big brother.
And that iPad will be more in demand when there are two heirs to occupy.
Follow Kavita Varma-White on Twitter @kvarmawhite.