> Many people in child development would disagree with how far you seem to want to take this concept of abstracting away real-world objects. I didn't suggest a

> Many people in child development would disagree with how far you seem to want to take this concept of abstracting away real-world objects. I didn't suggest abstracting away toys. I made a prediction/observation that apps could "do away with many physical items [...]" and that it might be a positive thing if it reduces waste. In my following responses, the implication was that touch interfaces are perhaps seen as mechanical by infants as they can touch something and it produces an immediate and repeatable result, mimicking how real world objects work. Again, I was making an observation (right or wrong), not a statement. Lastly, with virtual toys being cheap and varied, it allows an infant to explore many different concepts that they normally wouldn't be exposed to because of economic factors (e.g. $20 toy vs free/99c app). At no point have I suggested getting rid of toys - which would be both outlandish and impossible.