Are You Worried About Your Toddler's Screen Time?

Technology is part of everyday life and toddlers are using touchscreens almost before they can walk and talk. A new survey from the National Literacy Trust and Pearson shows almost all families (97 per cent) own touchscreens, and the ease for small fingers of swiping or tapping a touchscreen makes it likely that pre-school children will copy their parents’ use of tablets and smartphones.

However with this has come understandable concern about the impact that ubiquitous technology can have on young minds and a worry that the experience could have a negative impact on a child’s physical and social development.

The good news is that technology can play an important role in supporting early communication, language and literacy by offering new opportunities, such as interactive and intuitive story telling e-books and apps. If used correctly the interactive nature and sensory stimulation of technology can help young children to learn in new ways alongside books.

In addition, technology can provide an important route in to reading for certain groups of children, such as those from disadvantaged backgrounds and boys. However, researchers, early years workers and specialists all agree that technology should not be used as a replacement for adult interaction, but as another tool for teaching.

In their third annual Early Years Literacy Survey of 1,300 parents: The Use of Technology to Support Literacy in the Early Years in 2015, three quarters of parents say they are confident using technology to share stories with their young children; roughly the same amount as those who are confident using books. However the survey shows that just 37.8 per cent of parents say they use technology to look at stories during a typical week and they support their children less actively when sharing stories on touchscreens, with only 57.1 per cent talking about a story with their child compared to 80.1 per cent while looking at a book. This indicates a need for advice for parents to help their children use technology in ways that will actively develop their early learning.

To guide parents on using touchscreens with their pre-school children, the National Literacy Trust gives these top tips:

• Be a role model while you use technology yourself, thinking aloud and explaining your thought processes.
• Help your child learn while they play by showing them new words, stories, games and songs.
• Ask your child questions about what they are doing as they use technology and respond to the answers.
• Find stories and songs in your own language to share with children.
• Children will want to copy you, so involve them in simple digital tasks, for example making an online shopping list.

The National Literacy Trust has also designed an app guide called LiteracyApps.org to help parents who are unsure which tablet and smartphone apps could help to develop their child’s early communication, language and literacy, broken down by age range and interest. Plus, their Words for Life website has been updated with age-specific guidance, tips and ideas for using technology at home.