Early engagement with mobile technology

T O T S & TA B L E T S

by: Robin SchneiderPhoto: mbeo via Flickr

Many parents with infants and toddlers fear that screen time is damaging their brains.

However, through active engagement, screens can actually be beneficial to early learning.

Photo: Gustavo Devito via Flickr

of children under the age of 2

have used mobile devices

Photo: Rafiq Sarlie via Flickr Source: Common sense media survey 1.5k parents with kids under 8

38%

On average, parents with iPads download

8 APPS specifically for their children

Source: PBS Survey Photo: Rena Tom via Flickr

Mobile technologies can work as a

DIGITAL PACIFIER, keeping kids occupied

and quiet when need be

Source: Common Sense Media Photo: Amanda Tipton via Flickr

However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 2 should have

NO SCREEN TIME AT ALL

Photo: Nick Olejniczak via Flickr

Our understanding of the impact of mobile devices on the pre-school brain has been

outpaced by how much children are already using them

Source: Joanna Walters, The GuardianPhoto: Steve Paine via Flickr

Some studies have shown that children who read enhanced

e-books recalled significantly fewer

details than children who read the print

version of the same story.

Photo: Aaron Muderick via Flickr Source: Joan Ganz Cooney Center

and that using a tablet or smartphone to divert a child’s attention could be detrimental to their SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Photo: Lucélia Ribeiro via Flickr

Source: Boston University Medical Center

However, keeping kids away from screens completely for the first few years of their life will “set pretty unrealistic

expectations about their exposure to technology.”- Michael Levine, executive director of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center

Source: Ben Popper, The Verge Photo: Arne Kuilman via Flickr

“Screens are purely a delivery mechanism. What parents should be focused on is the content.”

- Dimitri Cheristakis,

Source: Ben Popper, The Verge Photo: Brad Flickinger via Flickr

Director of the Centre for Child Health,Seattle Children’s Hospital

Although there is a minority who consider screens not to be healthy, there is no

evidence to suggest they are detrimental

Source: BBC News Photo: Flickeringbrad via Flickr

ACTIVE vs. PASSIVE what matters is:

Photo: Brad Flickinger via Flickr Source: Ben Popper, The Verge

CONSUMPTION

Kids who engage in active play scored significantly better on subsequent language acquisition tests

than those involved in passive consumption (ie. TV).

Source: Ben Popper, The VergePhoto: Flickeringbrad via Flickr

“Kids who are interacting with the screen get better much faster, make

fewer mistakes and learn faster.”

- Heather Kirkorian, University of Wisconsin

Source: BBC NewsPhoto: Petras Gagilas via Flickr

ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH SCREENS CAN IMPROVE:

hand-eye coordination

cognitive development

language skills

social interaction skills

visual attention capacity

dynamic spacial skills

problem solving skills Source: Penelope Sweester et al.,

Queensland University of TechnologyPhoto: Toca Boca via Flickr

Rather than making arbitrary limits on screen time, parents should make sure kids’

experience with technology is shared.Photo: ajburnett9 via Flickr

“If you’re there to guide them, today’s interactive devices

can be a great way to learn and to bond.”

- Michael Levine

Photo: Honza Soukup via FlickrSource: Ben Popper, The Verge

Active engagement with mobile technology can be beneficial to early childhood learning

by advancing cognitive development and serving as a bonding tool for infants and parents.

Photo: Toca Boca via Flickr

S O U R C E S

Sweester, Penelope, Daniel Johnson, Anne Ozdowska, and Peta Wyeth. “Active versus Passive Screen Time for Young Child.” Queensland University of Technology. 29 July 2013

Roxby, Philippa. “Does technology help or hinder toddlers’ learning?” BBC News. BBC.com. 19 April 2013

Common Sense Media: Survey 1.5k parents with kids under 8 (via Matrix, Sidneyeve. Module 3: Mobilities Lecture Video. 16 May 2016.)

PBS Survey (via Matrix, Sidneyeve. Module 3: Mobilities Lecture Video. 16 May 2016.)

American Academy of Pediatrics “Media and Children” (via Matrix, Sidneyeve. Module 3: Mobilities Lecture Video. 16 May 2016.)

Common Sense Media (via Matrix, Sidneyeve. Module 3: Mobilities Lecture Video. 16 May 2016.)

The Joan Gans Cooney Centre “Print Books vs. E-Books” (via Matrix, Sidneyeve. Module 1: Digital Literacies Lecture Video. 3 May 2016.)

Boston University Medical Center, “Mobile and interactive media use by young children: The good, the bad and the unknown” Public Release. 30 January 2015.

Walters, Joanna, “Tablets and smartphones may affect social and emotional development, scientists speculate” The Guardian. TheGuardian.com 2 February 2015

Popper, Ben “Is Technology Scrambling My Baby’s Brain”” The verge. TheVerge.com. 3 September 2013