In today’s world, technology seems to play a huge role in our lives, and that includes the lives of kids as well. It’s not unheard of to see a toddler with an iPad in hand, swiping through apps and playing games. While there are mixed opinions on whether or not this is a good practice, one thing is for sure – it’s here to stay.
A new study released this week that was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Pediatrics has found that the average toddler is missing out on over 1,000 words spoken by adults each day due to excessive screen time. Researchers tracked 220 Australian families over two years, using advanced speech recognition technology to analyze the impact of family screen use on children’s language environment.
Using a device similar to a Fitbit, researchers monitored the number of words spoken around young children and analyzed electronic noise to calculate screen time exposure. The study found that for every additional minute of screen time, three-year-olds heard seven fewer words, spoke five fewer words themselves, and engaged in one less conversation. On average, three-year-olds were exposed to nearly three hours of screen time daily, resulting in significantly fewer adult and child words heard and conversations had.
The study emphasized the importance of a language-rich home environment for infants’ and toddlers’ language development. While some educational shows may aid language skills, very young children may struggle to apply what they see on screens to real-life interactions.
Unlike previous research relying on self-reported screen time data, this study provided a comprehensive assessment of prolonged screen time effects on children’s early language experiences. Experts underscored the critical role of early years in shaping children’s language outcomes and highlighted concerns about declining language skills among children due to increased screen exposure.
Teachers have observed regression in children’s language skills related to prolonged screen use, both before and during the pandemic. Despite challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions, researchers noted that average screen times did not significantly increase during this period.
Though limited to English-speaking households due to technology constraints, this study sheds light on the detrimental impact of excessive screen time on young children’s language development.
While more research is needed into the subject, it’s important to balance allowing our toddlers to explore the digital world and encouraging them to engage in other activities like outdoor play, reading, and socially interacting with other kids.
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