July 26, 2014: In a new study published in the
July 26, 2014: In a new study published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioural Pediatrics it has been reported that background television can divert a child’s attention from play and learning. The study done by researchers of University of Iowa examined the impact of television on children’s social and emotional development. They also studied the impact of parenting on the development of children.
A national survey of more than 1,150 families with children between 2 and 8 years old was carried out as part of the study. The researchers also looked at family demographics, parenting styles, media use, and how those factors could impact kids’ future success.
The major findings that emanated from the study are:
- Background television – when the TV is on in a room where a child is doing something other than watching can divert a child’s attention from play and learning
- Non-educational programmes can negatively affect children’s cognitive development
- There is a relationship between the content children are exposed to and their executive function, an important facet in learning and development.
- This relationship was found more in children in families which the researchers identified as “high risk” i.e. families living in poverty or families whose parents have little education and
- Regardless of family demographics, parenting can act as a buffer against the impacts of background TV
According to Deborah Linebarger, associate professor in education at the UI and the lead author on the study concludes through this study that “Kids are going to learn from whatever you put in front of them. So what kinds of messages, what kinds of things do you want them to learn? That would be the kinds of media you’d purposefully expose them to.”
it has been reported that background television can divert a child’s attention from play and learning. The study done by researchers of University of Iowa examined the impact of television on children’s social and emotional development. They also studied the impact of parenting on the development of children.
A national survey of more than 1,150 families with children between 2 and 8 years old was carried out as part of the study. The researchers also looked at family demographics, parenting styles, media use, and how those factors could impact kids’ future success.
The major findings that emanated from the study are:
- Background television – when the TV is on in a room where a child is doing something other than watching can divert a child’s attention from play and learning
- Non-educational programmes can negatively affect children’s cognitive development
- There is a relationship between the content children are exposed to and their executive function, an important facet in learning and development.
- This relationship was found more in children in families which the researchers identified as “high risk” i.e. families living in poverty or families whose parents have little education and
- Regardless of family demographics, parenting can act as a buffer against the impacts of background TV
According to Deborah Linebarger, associate professor in education at the UI and the lead author on the study concludes through this study that “Kids are going to learn from whatever you put in front of them. So what kinds of messages, what kinds of things do you want them to learn? That would be the kinds of media you’d purposefully expose them to.”
