It's amazing how our kids are using completely different parts of their brain than we did at their age. Take Isabelle, for example, who at age 3 jumped on the "early literacy station" at the library on Saturday and played for an hour with barely any help from me. After the librarian got her set up with the password and headphones, Isabelle navigated the menus, followed the audio instructions for each game, and played a variety of games that tested skills like matching, counting and recognizing colors.

Twice she asked me for assistance because she needed to type in her name, and she doesn't know how to spell yet. Beyond that, whenever I'd reach for the mouse to try and help if she looked stuck, she'd slap my hand away and say "I can do it my very self!" (Translation: If I want your help, I'll ask for it. Now go away.)

Luckily I'd brought my Nook reader, I sat next to her and read my book while she played games!