Children who frequently spend time in front of screens typically have a smaller vocabulary and start speaking later. This is reported by Medical Xpress.
Moreover, it has been established that young children spend more time in front of screens than recommended. This conclusion was reached by scientists after a study involving nearly two thousand toddlers aged one to four years.
Data collection lasted for a year and a half: parents filled out questionnaires about the time their child spent in front of screens, co-viewing, reading books, and speech development. Socio-economic status was assessed based on the family's access to resources, the parents' education level, and professions.
It turned out that children watch television for an average of more than an hour a day, most often with it on in the background. The most engaging content is entertainment, followed by music and educational programs. In low-income families, toddlers read books less frequently and have fewer learning opportunities.
It was found that prolonged screen time is indeed associated with a smaller vocabulary and a later onset of speech. At the same time, reading books and co-viewing with parents contribute to the development of language skills. The results confirm previous research on the negative impact of gadgets on speech development.
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