Learning is enhanced when you take time to reflect on the process. This week, you will have a journal that asks you to discuss your thoughts in relation to the topic for the unit. Your reflection and writing will help with your understanding of the content covered.
Your response to this journal should be clear, concise, and organized. The expression of information must be well written and original, with few or no errors in format and mechanics.
Influence of Screen Time in Infancy/Toddlerhood and Early Childhood
Screen time, the amount of time spent interacting with television, computers, mobile devices, and video games, is a concern for many parents in industrialized nations. “Average screen time increases from 55 minutes per day at 6 months to just under 1 ½ hours per day at age 2” (Berk, 2022). The overwhelming majority of young children in the industrialized world (over 90 percent) have access to a television, computer and one or more mobile devices, usually smartphones but also tablets, with access to the Internet (Berk, 2022). Although there can be educational benefits to children learning through screen media, research has also demonstrated that excessive screen time can interfere with a child’s development, including cognitive skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and communication.
In at least 250 words, please respond to the following:
- With screens having a pervasive presence in our day-to-day lives, what advice would you give the typical U.S. parent about their infant or toddler’s screen time?
- What are the pros and cons of young children’s (ages 2–6 years) exposure to screen media (television, computers, mobile devices, and video games)?
- How are cognitive skills such as memorization or critical thinking affected by our ability to gather facts at the click of a button?
- Would you expect to see cultural differences in the impact of screen time on development? Explain your answer.
