You probably spend plenty of time pecking away at your laptop or BlackBerry, even as your preschooler plays CD-ROM games or pushes buttons on an electronic talking toy. Technology is a fact of twenty-first-century parenting. While you know your child will need high-tech know-how to flourish in both academic and professional life, you worry about the lack of good old-fashioned play. Plus, how much tech is too much at this age?

Research affirms that conventional, low-tech playtime is essential to young children's mental, physical and social growth, says early-childhood expert Melissa Burnham, PhD, an assistant professor at the University of Nevada in Reno. The active, sensory experiences of play help little ones learn to problem-solve and work well in a group. They also promote physical fitness, crucial in these times of escalating childhood obesity. Yet computer play offers benefits, too, like building memory skills and analytical thinking. Experts agree, though, that for kids, technology should complement—not replace—other forms of recreation.

That's one reason the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children older than age 2 spend only one to two hours a day in front of a TV or computer screen (for under age 2, the recommended time is zero). Dr. Burnham further suggests dividing screen time into sessions of 30 minutes or less and limiting preschoolers to no more than an hour a day—with lots more time for regular free play.

Beyond setting time limits, be a savvy consumer. Age and developmental level are key to your child's ability to grasp tech-based content. "Most tech toys don't offer much to young children," asserts Dr. Burnham. "Actively hunting for the letter A at the grocery store provides a more valuable play and learning experience than a talking doll that 'teaches' letters." And just because software claims to be for a certain age doesn't mean it's appropriate for your child. Seek products that allow him to explore and direct the activity rather than those that feed single answers or simply produce coloring printouts.

Ultimately, your tot has plenty of time to turn techno, says Dr. Burnham. "A child will pick up on how to use a mouse and screen whether he's a preschooler or a second grader." What's more important is that whether the two of you are playing I Spy on the screen or at the supermarket, you'll both discover and learn together.

Play It Smart