This was the subject of a recent blog post on the NYTimes.com, and like any self-respecting parent, Pogue (tech columnist for the NY Times) is somewhat concerned by his youngest child’s newfound infatuation with his father’s toy. He’s concerned, yes, but he’s not worried.

Pogue makes a critical point: his child uses the iPad mainly for learning purposes. He plays mostly educational and creative apps: a program that lets children create animated short movies, write their own songs, or solve challenging spatial awareness puzzles. To parents who remember a world before computers, this may admittedly feel a little foreign. But the technological devices can be an invaluable tool for educational entertainment when used in conjunction with other, non-screen activities.

There’s good TV and bad TV, so why shouldn’t electronics be the same? There’s little doubt that technology like the iPad can be interactive and collaborative, and actively encourage children to think, learn and create.

Poll: What are your rules for electronics or TV?

This is a topic that resonates with most parents raising their children to speak a second or third language, often doing so for some combination of cultural heritage and desire for their children to have that extra advantage in the future.

All three CEOs said our educational system is not doing enough to prepare our children for the global marketplace. Their companies need people who are able to work across borders, engage in cross-cultural teamwork and communicate with people of other cultures. Ursula Burns also noted that we are closing down our borders in the U.S. (accepting fewer immigrants and asking international students to leave) right at the time we need more international brainpower to drive innovation and execute on the entrepreneurial abundance here in the U.S. “The future of big tech is going to be compromised if we keep pushing out international talent.”

The fact that fewer students from abroad can get educated here will also mean fewer bridges between our country and others. Two CEOs pointed out that they do business with people running major companies in other countries who were educated in the U.S. and therefore understand the American way of working. Personal relationships are key, and many are formed in undergrad, grad and business schools, when international students study abroad. Fewer international students today may mean fewer American CEOs at international tables in the future.

CEOs love facts and numbers and these CEOs were no different. They reminded us that there are 6 billion people in the world, only 300 million of whom are in the U.S.

• All successful big businesses are selling to and working with the international marketplace.

• Over 50% of the revenues collected by their three mega corporations (total of over $80 billion) came from OUTSIDE the U.S.

• International sales are currently the biggest growth area for most U.S. Fortune 500 corporations.

Our K-12 schools are not doing enough to prepare our kids in math, reading, science and language, so what can we do to prepare for this shift?

• Globalization is here to stay (Jeffrey Immelt, CEO of GE, notes he revived the entire company by going global), so as leaders we need to have a “healthy paranoia” about getting left behind in the global economy. We need to pay better attention to what is happening in other countries and make sure we remain competitive.

• Companies in the U.S. need to step up and partner with the government to improve schools and provide more educational opportunities (one such example is the “Change the Equation Foundation” that helps kids improve in science and is funded by the private and public sectors)

• We need to rethink how we teach kids using new technology at our disposal (John Chambers of Cicsco mentioned his two year old granddaughter’s seamless use of the iPad and questions how tablets, e-readers, and other new such devices are going to be integrated into the classroom)

Ursula Burns ended the keynote panel by saying she felt the most important question we need to be asking as a nation is “what are we going to do prepare our children to participate in the global economy?” She feels this means more science and math, and more exposure to the tools that will help our kids become global citizens.

We know that speaking a foreign language will give our kids at least one of the tools they will need… Do you agree with their take on where things are going? You can post your comments to our Facebook or Twitter page.

** Mommy Tech Summit http://www.mommytechsummit.com/

Digital moms’ influence as the “chief decision maker” for their families, extended families and friends continues to grow. In turn, the Mommy Tech market has grown into a $90 billion dollar marketplace driven by tech-savvy women who are recognized as both powerful consumers and advocates for new technology.

An excerpt:

Recognizing that children learn through multiple modalities – visually, auditorally, and kinesthetically – the Lim Pim company is working to develop a variety of products to engage children in language learning. Currently they offer a fun music CD in both Spanish and French, as well as picture flashcards in those two languages. And now an iPhone app is available in Spanish and French: Little Pim Word Bag. Digital downloads of the DVDs in all ten languages are available for home computers and portable digital players (such as iPhone or iTouch), which makes learning on the go fun and convenient.

The LittlePim.com website offers printable coloring pages and an interactive “Talking Coloring Book” feature in most of the available languages. A free digital newsletter keeps parents and teachers informed about new products and language additions.

Read the full review here: http://languagestudy.suite101.com/article.cfm/little-pim-language-learning-program-review

Celebrity Baby Blog joined in on the fun by giving one Birthday Bag away to their readers.

One Birthday Gift Bag was auctioned to support the Annika K. Strain Foundation, a non-profit that benefits pediatric cancer patients.

I’m so glad that we were able to participate and hope the new Little Pim families are having beaucoup de fun with their Gift Sets.

For our customers March is all about fun, learning, and…mobility! I’m pleased to announce that the Little Pim Digital Downloads are now available in all 10 of Little Pim languages.

The downloads will play on any Internet-connected portable player such as an iPod or iPod Touch. Download one 35-minute episode or enjoy a 10% discount when you purchase a complete language series.

My son Adrian loved being able to bring his favorite panda on a recent plane trip.

Oh the places you’ll go! More information here: http://www.littlepim.com/store/digital-downloads/

What’s your child’s favorite Dr. Seuss book? Tell me in the comments!

By marrying beautiful graphic design, our signature music, and the always lovable Little Pim panda, Little Pim Word Bag has already become a favorite in the blogosphere. iAppFun, a popular blog that reviews apps as they are released had this to say:

“With great artwork, music and sound effects these Little Pim interactive “flash cards” are the perfect way to educate and entertain young language learners on the go.”

Child Mode also reviewed the app:

“The clean and clear format makes this app fun and easy to use and it is also an excellent way to keep children occupied while on the go or during a trip. If you have an iPhone or iTouch, I highly recommend purchasing this for your children. It has become my toddler’s favorite kids app out of the 10 I have downloaded!”

The $1.99 sticker price for the app makes it an affordable way to support your child’s language acquisition and the perfect compliment to our DVDs, CDs, and Word & Phrase Cards.

I hope you enjoy! Please let me know what you think.

We all have a soft spot for Bob, an adorable furry wildcat with black trimmed ears. He tries really hard to be a good hunter, chase butterflies and ladybugs, but can’t quite ever seem to catch a thing!

Jolene Pinder, the wonderful producer from Arts Engine who is pulling together all the production elements, Joey our "Bob", and I.

Meet "Bob"

We found a wonderful voice over artist for Bob (who moonlights as a PhD candidate in English literature) and spent a few hours recording all kinds of “mmmrrow!” and giggles and snoring sounds the other day. It was so much fun!

In addition to Bob, we’ll also be introducing Lola the Elephant in the new DVDs.

Little Pim is having a blast now that he has two new friends who are just as playful as he is. Together they are helping kids learn a second or third language in a fun, laughter-filled way.

Look out for Bob the Bobcat and Lola the Elephant in DVDs 4, 5, & 6 this spring.

Breaking news: Little Pim has new friends! Bob the Bobcat and Lola the Elephant will make their debut in the new DVDs.

Little Pim, Lola the Elephant, and Bob the Bobcat.

Ting, our Chinese language advisor, Julia, and Ya Yun (the voice of Little Pim Chinese).

Samantha, our French voiceover actress.

If your kids have been watching DVDs 1, 2, and 3 and are ready to move onto 4, 5, and 6, you won’t have to wait much longer! Our newest DVDs explore emotions, counting, and learning about rooms and objects in the home.

Now you can enjoy “Eating and Drinking,” “Wake Up Smiling” and “Playtime” in our Gift Set that includes a plush Little Pim panda and our 3-Pak in 10 languages!

Preorder now to take advantage of November’s deal: Free Domestic Standard Shipping! Your order will be sent out at the end of November.

Arabic

Russian

German