DARLINGTON - The Lafayette County University of Wisconsin-Extension is offering tips for screening media time for toddlers.
Recently, a team of University of Wisconsin-Extension Family Living educators worked with Dr. Heather Kirkorian of the UW-Madison Human Development and Family Studies department to learn more about the ways that screen media affect toddlers.
While limiting screen time for toddlers is important, families can have positive interactions around screens, too.
Young children need interactions with real people and 3-D objects to learn language and meet other developmental milestones. Parents can also interact with toddlers around screens.
Ways to positively incorporate screen time into toddler's life include:
• Watch and play together. Toddlers learn from interacting with adults. Rather than handing toddlers the tablet or smartphone, sit down with the child and talk about the game, ask questions about what they see on the screen, dance to a song together, and take turns.
• Connect to the real world. Extend concepts that were introduced on a screen to everyday life.
• Use intentionally. Background television (TV that is on all day) is the most harmful type of screen time for children and should be avoided because it distracts kids from learning through play, observation and conversation.
• Content matters. Not all media content is created equally. Young children don't benefit from fast or flashy shows or apps. Toddlers learn best from videos or apps that reflect their own experiences, said Kirkorian.
For more tips on parenting toddlers, visit UW-Extension's Parenting the Preschooler website at parenting.uwex.edu/parenting-the-preschooler. For more information, contact Mary Knellwolf, UW-Extension Family Living Educator in Lafayette County, at 608-776-4820.
Recently, a team of University of Wisconsin-Extension Family Living educators worked with Dr. Heather Kirkorian of the UW-Madison Human Development and Family Studies department to learn more about the ways that screen media affect toddlers.
While limiting screen time for toddlers is important, families can have positive interactions around screens, too.
Young children need interactions with real people and 3-D objects to learn language and meet other developmental milestones. Parents can also interact with toddlers around screens.
Ways to positively incorporate screen time into toddler's life include:
• Watch and play together. Toddlers learn from interacting with adults. Rather than handing toddlers the tablet or smartphone, sit down with the child and talk about the game, ask questions about what they see on the screen, dance to a song together, and take turns.
• Connect to the real world. Extend concepts that were introduced on a screen to everyday life.
• Use intentionally. Background television (TV that is on all day) is the most harmful type of screen time for children and should be avoided because it distracts kids from learning through play, observation and conversation.
• Content matters. Not all media content is created equally. Young children don't benefit from fast or flashy shows or apps. Toddlers learn best from videos or apps that reflect their own experiences, said Kirkorian.
For more tips on parenting toddlers, visit UW-Extension's Parenting the Preschooler website at parenting.uwex.edu/parenting-the-preschooler. For more information, contact Mary Knellwolf, UW-Extension Family Living Educator in Lafayette County, at 608-776-4820.
