+ Tips on Introducing

Technology: Technology:

A Parents Guide to Use Technology for

Communication
enhance Technology in Model Technology as
a tool
their childs life Be Involved
Make sure your
child is getting
hands-on play
Technology and interactive experiences daily
Create boundaries
media are tools that can promote
Be a critic to your
effective learning and childs sake
development when used Model healthy
intentionally by early childhood technological
educators, within the framework behaviors yourself
Its okay to say no
of developmentally appropriate
Practice media
practice, to support learning safety
goals established for individual
(Bongiorno, (n.d.))
children.

+ Why does it matter?

When used wisely, technology and media can support learning
and relationships. Enjoyable and engaging shared experiences that
optimize the potential for childrens learning and development can
support childrens relationships both with adults and their peers.
(Fred Rogers Center, 2015)

Time spent in front of a television screen is just one aspect of how

screen time needs to be understood and measured. Children and
adults now have access to an ever-expanding selection of screens on
computers, tablets, smartphones, handheld gaming devices,
portable video players, digital cameras, video recorders, and more.
Screen time is the total amount of time spent in front of any and
all of these screens. (NAEYC, 2012)
 +
Cater to the Age of your Child
12 months: Choose media
that helps development
language- that labels the
objects in the childs world,
natural world, animal
sounds, trees, etc.
Caregivers can: Help shape
the childs attention and
reinforce language
children hear in screen
media. For example,
repeating and extending
what they see on screen to
a real-life context.
(Jackson, 2013)
18 Months: Choose media that
encourages physical interactions
with whats happening on the
screen. Active 18-month-olds
should be clapping, singing, or
running around while they
watch a video or use a mobile app.
Caregivers can: point out what is
going on in media and extend
the childs language and
understanding of social context
in which language is used in
both on screen and off. Parents
can ask questions like Can you
clap your hands the way Dora is
clapping her hands.
2 to 3 years Old: Choose
media that has age
appropriate material.
Caregivers can: talk to the
children about what they
had just watched to make
sure they understood the
story. Ask children to
retell the story and ask
open ended questions so
the children and interpret
their own understanding.
Help create connections
with characters seen in the
media and the
consequences the character
may had.
jds
2
Tips to help manage Screen Time and Appropriate Technology
technology use:
Interactive media refers to digital and
analog materials, including software Questions to asking
Treat media as you
programs, applications (apps), broadcast when looking for
would any other
and streaming media, SOME childrens quality apps:
environment in
your childs life.
television programming, e-books, the + Can you
Internet, and other forms of content Etiam eu ipsum. Donec ac the
Set limits and individualize
designed to facilitate active and creative arcu.
encourage experience for a
use by young children and to encourage specific child?
playtime.
social engagement with other children andLorem ipsum
Can thesitchild
dolor amet, control
Families who play adults. (NAEYC, 2012) the
consectetuer sound or
adipiscing elit.
together, learn background
Vivamus semper sodales music?
together. The NAEYC position statement explains, lorem. Quisque
Arevenenatis
there multiple
Be a good role All screens are not created equal. The languageaoptions?
vehicula lectus. Donec odio
model. proliferation of digital devices with screenseu eros Canvehicula.
lobortis more than one
Know the value of means that the precise meaning of screen child play at once?
face-to-face time is elusive and no longer just a matter -(especially
sodales. a
consideration for
communication of how long a young child watches
teachers)
Create tech-free television, videos, or DVDs. (NAEYC, What does it cost?
zones. 2012) You can get a lot of
Dont use value for one or two
Non-interactive media include certain dollars in the app
technology as an television programs, videos, DVDs, and store these days, if
emotional pacifier streaming media now available on a you know what you're
Apps for Kids variety of screens. Non-interactive looking for. If you
Its okay for technology tools and media are not find something you
children to use dont quite like, keep
included in the de nition and description
technology looking. Its likely
of effective and appropriate use in this that you can find a
statement unless they are used in ways better app at the same
that promote active engagement and price.
interactions. Non-interactive media can Are there multiple
lead to passive viewing and over- exposure levels, so there is
always a challenge?
to screen time for young children and are
Is Developmentally
not substitutes for interactive and Appropriate Practices
engaging uses of digital media or for (DAP) being
(American Academy of interactions with adults and other enforced?
Pediatrics, 2015) children. (NAEYC, 2012) (Bongiorno, (n.d.))

3
Resources for Parents:
https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/284-the-
influence-of-media-on-young-children-s-
development

https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/techno
logy-and-media

https://www.naeyc.org/our-
work/families/technology-tips-for-preschool-
parents

https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-
press-room/Pages/Children-And-Media-Tips-
For-Parents.aspx

References
+ American Academy of Pediatrics. (2015). Children-And-Media-Tips-
For-Parents. Retrieved December 03, 2017, from
https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-
room/Pages/Children-And-Media-Tips-For-Parents.aspx

Bongiorno, L. (n.d.). Uncharted Territory: 10 Technology Tips for

Preschool Parents. Retrieved December 03, 2017, from
https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/technology-tips-for-
preschool-parents

Fred Rogers Center. (2015, November 03). Advice for Parents on

Appropriate Media Use in Early Childhood. Retrieved December 03,
2017, from http://www.fredrogerscenter.org/2013/02/advice-for-
parents-on-appropriate-media-use-early-childhood/

Jackson, S. (2013, February 10). Advice for Parents on Appropriate

Media Use in Early Childhood. Retrieved December 03, 2017, from
http://www.fredrogerscenter.org/2013/02/advice-for-parents-on-
appropriate-media-use-early-childhood/

Wartella, D. (2016, February 24). The Influence of Media on Young

Children's Development. Retrieved December 03, 2017, from
https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/284-the-influence-of-media-
on-young-children-s-development

BY: Kelly Saah, Jill Wojnar and Kendall Sovero