Technology has become part of our daily life. Living in a time where everything is rushed and screen time opportunities are growing, children are exposed to screens for increased periods. What is the effect of increased periods of screen time on my child’s language development?
According to recent research, screen time may have some positive effects if your child is exposed to screen time, as the World Health Organization (WHO) set out. Some positive impacts include expanding your child’s vocabulary, exposing them to cultural diversity, and keeping them occupied in a safe environment. However, suppose a child is exposed to screen time for long periods. In that case, it may negatively affect their language development as screen time may not encourage your little one to participate in a conversation actively. The WHO encourages parents not to expose their children to screen time between birth and two years and to limit screen time to less than 1 hour per day between the ages of three- and five years.
Recent studies have suggested that the adverse effects of screen time appear to outweigh the positive influences thereof. During the first three years of life, the brain experiences rapid growth due to neural plasticity. The first three years of life are crucial for language development; therefore, as the parent, you will be advised and encouraged to spend as much one-on-one time with your little one to expand their vocabulary and limit screen time as much as possible. In addition, remember to read a book daily; this will expand their vocabulary, increase sentence length, and create a love for books that will be important for later learning, and create time for you and your little one to spend together.
Written by Michelle McDonald (Speech-Language Therapist)
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