Abstract

Parenting simulations are life-like technological devices designed to emulate the physical and behavioral characteristics of real children. These simulations offer an experiential learning method that has become a popular means of demonstrating the challenges associated with infant care and parenthood across childhood. Due to the interactive nature of these simulations, they have provided a new way in which parenting can be experienced and have primarily functioned as a form of intervention designed to change attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions towards parenting. The purpose of this mini-review is to describe two examples of simulated parenting experiences: those involving a programmable doll simulation which requires infant care, and a computerized virtual experience in which a child is raised from birth to age 19 within an interactive website.

Keywords: Caregiver attitudes; Parenting; Relationships; Simulations; Virtual child

Abbreviations: BTIO: Baby Think It Over©; MVC: My Virtual Child©