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Screen time impact on children.
BA Hons qualified, Paula Franklin of OFSTED outstanding and award winning Squirrels Nursery & Forest School, based in Buckinghamshire. Plays a key part in a National study around the impact of handheld screen time on the development of speech in babies and young children.
The findings indicate that all participants involved were in agreement that handheld screens are negatively impacting on the speech development of children in the early years. Participants highlight the resulting decline in interaction caused by digital distraction both in the community and within families, causing babies and young children to lack the vital two-way feedback required for the development of social communication.
The following specific areas of development were perceived to be negatively affected by screen use: Listening and attention, social skills, eye contact, word pronunciation and the ability to use expressive language, as well as affecting mood and physical development.
"There has been a lot of recent media coverage regarding the effects of high screen use on children, but the early years age group is rarely mentioned. With crucial brain development occurring in the first years of a child's life, it is important to remember that technology can never replace social interaction or physical experience, therefore it is crucial that we prioritise face-to-face interactions with our children and provide them with opportunities to make sense of the world around them."
"Having taken part in the first stage of research on this subject which is being conducted by Birmingham University, I'm delighted to have the opportunity to share my findings with them and to be involved in the next phase." Paula Franklin BA (Hons)
About Squirrels Nursery & Forest School
An independent nursery that has been running since 2001. Offering both a Nursery setting and Farm & Forest set in 60 acres of natural beauty. Ensuring children can foster a life-long love of learning.