PreschoolersTheir Devices_ClotealWebb.edited (3) (1)
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Preschoolers and Their Devices
Cloteal Webb
CHFD 331
June 14, 2023
Preschoolers and Their Devices
Introducing media to young children can be difficult. There is a lot of content made with young children watching in mind. This can make it hard to figure out how much to allow your children to watch and play online. Even figuring out what content best suits your child can be difficult because there are so many creators and so much variety in kids’ media. Many parents turn to media to help keep their children occupied while traveling or help teach them things like animal sounds or their ABCs. Some families might feel like it's best to keep their child away from all the iPads and video games at preschool age. Others may find ways to make an iPad a useful tool for learning and play.
Learning & Play Made Easy
Young children tend to mimic what they see at home. Adults around them watch tv, scroll through videos on YouTube, and play video games. It's likely that if you are consuming media your children are too. It is possible to make sure that your child is still learning and playing while
watching tv or playing a game on their tablet. Devices like iPads are commonly used in schools nowadays. Many preschoolers get sent home from school with an iPad because many apps and games can be used to help children learn. An iPad's large screen can make it easier for preschoolers to begin activities like tracing letters or playing matching games (Learmonth, 2010). Society uses technology to complete daily tasks. Allowing your child to interact with media now is just preparing them for the future.
No Screens Allowed
There are some things to be considered when you allow your child to have screen time. Some young children have a harder time focusing or paying attention because most video content and
video games are fast-paced so children don't spend much time on one activity. If your child spends more time watching tv or playing on their tablet that leaves less room for face-to-face interaction which means their social skills will take longer to develop. Screen time can also affect your child’s ability to sleep. The constant blue light that comes from their tv, phone, or tablet slows the natural release of melatonin making it harder for them to fall asleep at night (Brooks, 2019).
Screens or No Screens
Technology helps most of us throughout our daily routines. Your child needs to learn how to use technology because it is being used to help your child learn both inside and outside of a classroom. The best way to combat some of the negative effects of screen time is to allow them to have screen time in moderation. Parents should lead by example and put their devices down too (Vogel, 2019). Reducing screen time as a family can help keep your child more physically active and increase language development (Hinkley et al., 2017). Find good quality content that benefits your child. Find games that encourage things like sharing so they interact with others. Stop screen time a few hours before bed so that your child can sleep better.
Conclusion
Handing your child an iPad or phone to keep them occupied and quiet is common. If you choose to allow your preschooler to have screen time, do it in moderation to combat things like lack of rest and poor social skills. Tablets are being used at home and school so find good quality
content and games so that their screen time is educational and fun. Make sure you take a break from the screens as well your child is learning from you.
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References
Learmonth, M. (2010). HOW THE IPAD BECAME CHILD'S PLAY-AND LEARNING TOOL.
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Brooks, A. (2019, June). Screen Time Recommendations: ECE Experts Shed Light on the Pros and Cons of Screen Time for Kids
. Rasmussen University. https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/screen-time-recommendations-for-
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Vogel, L. (2019). Quality of kids’ screen time matters as much as quantity. Canadian Medical Association Journal
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(25), E721. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.109-5767
Hinkley, T., Cliff, D., Lum, J. a. G., & Hesketh, K. D. (2017). Active minds happy kids: A stealth-based pilot intervention targeting preschoolers’ screen-time, outdoor play and social skills. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2016.12.011