A lot of families have a tablet for their young children. They can be used to read bedtime stories, or even as educational tools.
However, a recent study found that children are much more engaged with reading books when they are read directly from the book.
The study involved 72 parents of young children between 24 and 36 months old.
The results showed that children responded better to a conversation with their parents when they were reading a book to them than to a tablet.
According to a new study, tablets may not be the best choice for bedtime reading. Children are more likely to engage with books if they’re actually read (stock photo)
Research has shown that parent-child interaction is crucial for future development in friendships and language as well as school success.
These parents suggested that children were not engaging with their parents because of distractions from pop-ups, advertisements and animations on tablets.
The study, carried out by the University of Michigan, used three Fisher Price nursery rhyme apps — all of which have been downloaded more than 1 million times on the Google Play Store — and books with the same text.
Among them were The Itsy, Bitsy Spider, One, Two, Buckle My Shoe, Row, Row, Row Your Boat, and Hickory Dickory Dock.
According to researchers, the apps were chosen because they ‘naturally elicit turn taking (eg, children completing the parent’s stanza and gesturing in comparison with other toddler-directed apps).
93% of the parents that took part in this study were mothers.
The authors concluded that “Parent-child interactions are key correlates for future child developmental outcomes” (language, peer relations, academic achievement). These are affected by many aspects of the surrounding environment including digital media.
We found that toddler responses were less likely to parents’ verbalisations (an essential aspect of parent/child conversational reciprocity), when the nursery rhyme apps for tablets was used than when they read a book.
Research has shown that children respond better to a book read by their parents than to a tablet. Parents also talked to them more when they were reading a real book to them (stock image).
The tablet environment was less likely to have parents verbalizing their feelings towards toddlers, and the toddlers ignored them more often than if they were reading a book.
When reading books, youngster are more likely to react to parents with emotional outbursts.
Research concluded that early childhood experts should provide feedback to software developers in order for e-books to be more educative and less distracting.
According to the authors of the study, “Tablets, mobile phones, and other devices have become a prominent fixture in family life. App design features may hinder children’s ability to respond, regardless of parent efforts.
These parents were also advised to share their digital media experiences with their children. They should ask questions and talk about how they can help children learn and engage.
The research has been published in the journal American Academy of Pediatrics.