Toddlers and Touch Screens: The View by a Speech-Language Pathologist Infants & iPads, Toddlers and Touch Screens: The View by a Speech-Language Pathologist Char Boshart, M.A., CCC-SLP

Touch Screen Devices (TSDs) Provide… Communication (verbal, print, photos, videos; “Social Media”) Daily Functional Conveniences Entertainment (play games; movies) Information (sometimes we confuse access to information and technology with learning!) Etc.! Do you have to be intelligent to Google??? Searching is fast without the element of intelligence. All served up on the go! ©Char Boshart.com

“Social Media Explained” Twitter I’m eating a #donut Facebook I like donuts Instagram Here’s a vintage photo of my donut YouTube Here I am eating a donut LinkedIn My skills include donut eating Pinterest Here’s a donut recipe Apps: Donut Dazzle; Donut Maker; Donuts Go Crazy ©Char Boshart.com

(West Genesee Central School District) ©Char Boshart.com Here’s a stark fact: Most American children spend more time consuming electronic media than they do in school. (West Genesee Central School District) ©Char Boshart.com

©Char Boshart .com

IPad Apptivity Seat, Newborn-to-Toddler by Fisher-Price QUESTION: “Should TSDs be used during the first year of life?” YES? NO? ©Char Boshart.com

Parent’s Reasoning for TSD Use (it’s changed the parenting landscape!) Pacifier? Keep calm? Keep child occupied? Distraction? Entertainment? Developmental Enrichment? Educational Readiness? More than half of toddlers can use a TSD when they are just ONE year old. Bottom line…. ©Char Boshart.com

Oral Speech and Language Early Language Environment Development of Executive Functions Reading and Academic Success ©Char Boshart.com

JAMA PEDIATRIC, February, 2016 A Recent Study… Title: Association of the Type of Toy Used During Play with the Quantity and Quality of Parent-Infant Communication 26 parent-infant pairs (children aged 10-16 months); took place over 16 months; 15 min. in-home parent-infant play sessions with: Electronic toys, Traditional toys, and Books By Anna V. Sosa, Phd JAMA PEDIATRIC, February, 2016 Results… ©Char Boshart.com

They Analyzed Minute-by-Minute… They compared numbers of: adult words, child vocalizations, conversation turns, parents’ verbal responses to child utterances Conclusions and Relevance: “Play with electronic toys is associated with decreased quantity and quality of language input compared with play with books or traditional toys. To promote early language development, play with electronic toys should be discouraged.” The AAP Recommendations… ©Char Boshart.com

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) (first, 1999; second 2011; Oct. 21, 2016) Shifted primary focus from WHAT is on the screen, to WHO else is with the child Babies: 18 months and younger: (1/2 hr) Still say NO SCREENS are BEST, but with one exception: LIVE VIDEO CHAT Toddlers: 15 months to 2 years: (1 hr) Treat a video or app LIKE A PICTURE BOOK; if, and only if parents are along side; best if parent interacts with them Co-View! ©Char Boshart.com

(AAP, cont.) Preschoolers: age 2 to 5 “More evidence that they have the ability to transfer knowledge from screens to the real world, including early literacy and math, and positive social and emotional skills and behaviors.” Strongly prefer two makers of evidence-based children’s educational media: Sesame Workshop and PBS SesameStreet.org/parents/apps PBSkids.org/apps/ ©Char Boshart.com

AAP’s Tips for Parents CommonSenseMedia.org Set limits; kids need and expect them Encourage “unplugged” playtime Be a good role model Engage in back-and-forth talking time Create tech-free zones Don’t use as an emotional pacifier Make good educational app choices CommonSenseMedia.org ©Char Boshart.com