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Too much time in front of a cell phone or tablet is particularly harmful to 3-year-olds
Cell phone use can have a negative impact on children's language acquisition. A study has now proven this. However, you don't have to ban it completely.
Whether we want to admit it or not, we all always have our cell phones at hand. As soon as it beeps or buzzes, we look at it. Of course, the small square box is also interesting for our babies and children. They are now coming into contact with it earlier and earlier.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, because even with cell phones or tablets it depends on what your child uses or looks at and for how long. There are definitely programs and apps that can support and challenge your child.
Nevertheless, children should not spend too much time on their cell phones or tablets too early. Time in front of the screen can have negative effects on language acquisition.
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Toddlers and technology
A team of researchers from Australia wanted to assume that increased time in front of the screen had a negative impact on language acquisition in small childrenscientifically proven. To do this, the scientists recorded the screen time and language environment of children between 18 and 36 months in 220 families between 2018 and 2021.
The analysis of the data confirmed their assumption. With every minute more in front of the cell phone or tablet, the children heard fewer words (from their parents) and consequently spoke less themselves. Even then, according to the scientists in their results, if the parents adhere to the instructions given by theWHO recommended screen timeaccording to age.
Children in the study learned an average of 400 fewer words than children who did not spend any time in front of a technical device.
This effect was particularly significant in children aged 36 months. To be precise, a child of three years old would speak five fewer words and hear seven fewer words from their parents for every minute spent in front of a screen. Extrapolated to the average screen time that the children of the test families spent in front of a screen every day, namely 172 minutes, this would add up to a deficit of 1000 fewer words per day and the children hear and speak less.
Consequences of a lack of communication
Children learn to speak because people talk to them. In some ways, they imitate their parents, siblings and other adults. If a child speaks relatively little, for example because they spend a lot of time in front of the TV or are alone on their cell phone, language disorders are a very likely consequence. This does not mean that a child does not speak at all, but that their speech is delayed in their development.
It is not just media that can be the reason for delayed language acquisition. Even children with an undetected hearing impairment, genetic predispositions or after a serious stroke of fate can react by delaying learning to speak.
If you are concerned about your child's language acquisition, you should always talk to the treating pediatrician.
Promote language development
Regardless of whether it is the acquisition of the native language or the acquisition of a second or third language, a child will only learn that language if he or she has the appropriate input. They have to experience language directly, hear it and try it out for themselves.
>>Here you can find a picture dictionary for children aged two and over directly from Thalia* <<
That's why it's essential for parents to talk a lot with their child, look at or read books together and play with them. Especially in the first years of life. If a cell phone or tablet is used, that's not a problem. As long as it happens together and also serves the interaction between child and parents. On the other hand, the screen as a pure pastime for small children should be rare or, better yet, not at all.
Important note: Children develop at different rates. This also applies to language acquisition. Anyone who is concerned about their child's development should always contact their treating pediatrician. Otherwise, whatever applies: The information and tips in this article are merely suggestions. Every child is different and reacts in their own way. It is therefore important that you listen to your child and find out which path is best for you.
