Synopsis
A recent study highlights that increased screen exposure can negatively affect language development in toddlers. The research emphasizes the importance of book exposure and adult interaction in fostering better language skills among young children.Key Takeaways
- Excessive screen time negatively impacts toddlers’ language skills.
- Shared screen time with adults can improve language abilities.
- Lower socioeconomic status correlates with less book exposure.
- Entertainment media is predominantly consumed by toddlers.
- Future research needs to control variables to isolate effects.
New Delhi, Feb 8 (NationPress) Excessive screen time from devices like televisions and smartphones may hinder the language development abilities of toddlers, as revealed by a comprehensive international study.
The research, conducted by experts across 20 Latin American nations, indicated that exposure to books and shared screen time with adults can enhance toddlers' language skills.
Data was collected from 1,878 toddlers aged between 12 to 48 months throughout Latin America from August 2021 to March 2023. Parents reported on their children’s screen habits, shared media experiences, book interactions, language proficiency, and developmental milestones.
The researchers also assessed the socioeconomic conditions of the families to evaluate factors such as basic needs, parental education, and employment.
The findings, published in the journal PLOS ONE, indicated that television and background TV were the most commonly consumed media, with toddlers averaging over one hour of daily exposure, which negatively affected their language development skills.
Additionally, the study found that toddlers primarily engaged with entertainment content, followed by music and educational shows. Families from lower socioeconomic backgrounds reported a reduced usage of books and fewer educational tools.
Toddlers with heightened screen exposure exhibited lower lexical density and faced delays in achieving language milestones.
Conversely, those with increased book exposure or adult engagement during screen time demonstrated superior language skills.
The link between screen time and motor skill development was not found to be significant.
This research corroborates earlier studies indicating that excessive screen use adversely affects early language development. Engaging with adults and providing suitable content may alleviate some of these negative impacts.
As screen usage is expected to rise and evolve, the researchers advocate for future studies to control variables effectively and isolate their effects.
