Video games and cartoons are no longer taboo for kids. New-age parents are enrolling their tots for courses in game design, animation, robotics and electronics.

The early exposure, parents believe, gives kids an edge and stimulates creativity.

Age six to 10, parents feel, is a good age to start. "Getting a headstart in technology can never hurt," said Soumya Mantena, whose seven-year-old has enrolled for a class in animation.

Video game-making is another rage. "Letting them create games of their own is better than allowing them to play video games," said Trupti Maniyar, whose nine-year-old son has designed his own computer game.

Courses for pre-teens and toddlers are also mushrooming across the city. "Our centre runs computer and story-boarding courses for students between six to 12 years," said Savita Thakur of Vidyanidhi Infotech Academy, Juhu. Students learn the play way, and use interactive software like Tux paint and Power Point.

Others like Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics run animation courses and Children's Technology Workshop, offering robotics, electronics and game design. Schools, too, are catching on. "We offer these programmes as part of our extra-curricular activities," said the principal of a leading school in Juhu.

Children of professionals and expats attend these courses in large numbers. "In today's time, exposure to television and gaming comes early. So there is no harm in children learning more about how it works," said Dipali Mehta, a US-returned professional whose daughter has joined a robotics class.

However, parents say there is no pressure on the kids. "I have enrolled my son for video-game design not because I want him to become a software engineer, but because I want him to explore all interests. I even teach him cooking and give him the freedom to hone his poetry-writing skills," said Rupa Shah, the mother of a 12-year-old.

Psychiatrist Dr Bharat Shah of Lilavati Hospital said, "Early introduction to technology is fine as long as the child is interested and it does not hamper his physical and mental well being. Parents must strike the right balance between the crayon and the computer."

Farah H Chitalwala/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication