Digital tools help to focus attention in the early learning process
Researchers found that infants and children who were most active on touchscreens detected red apples faster than children who did or did not do so. Dr. Rachel states that studies show that these devices also play an important role on the process of everyday learning. But we have to be vigilant about its proper use.
Researchers in the Department of Psychology of the University of Bath, England, has recently published a study that examines the use of screen-time and various digital electronic devices by Toddlers among young children. Tests the effects. At present, the health problems of young children from mobile, TV, laptop, video games and other devices with the same touchscreen have made the parents sleep.
But these researchers at Bath University say that parents’ concerns are not as legitimate as expected. Quoting the research, the team’s lead psychologist Professor Tim Smith and lead researcher Dr. Rachel Bedford said that we really wanted to know what impact digital devices like smartphones and tablets have on the physical and mental development of young children.
They included both types of children in their trials, those who were active on digital devices and the other children whose parents kept them away from it.
How to understand how to use?
The Center for Brain and Cognitive Development of the University of London, Birkbeck, England, has also worked on this research. They named it ‘Tablet Project’ or ‘TABLET Project’ (Toddler Attentional Behavior and Learning with Touchscreens).
The researchers included young children up to 12 months old in their research. The purpose of the research was to give parents information about how and why they should use these digital devices in raising babies. All these toddlers involved in the test spent different time on the touchscreen.
During the study, the effects of digital devices on cognitive, social and behavioural development of such infants were investigated. The purpose of the study was to provide data and findings to parents, manufacturers creating programs and nutrition programs for infants, scientists to understand the correlation of current generation media use in their development and proper moderation of use of such devices. The study at the University of Bath has been published in the American Medical Association-Pediatrics Journal.
Curiosity arouses in children
Scientists in the research found that the early months of life are extremely important for children to focus on relevant information and develop the ability to ignore unnecessary things. It is the initial skill that is later considered important for academic achievements. But parents often have concerns that frequent use of touchscreens can cause health problems in the child. So they repeatedly interrupt that attempt to learn his curiosity.
But Professor Tim Smith says this fear is not justified. Dr. Rachel says that the purpose of this study is to remove this misconception. We monitored infants up to 12 months old from 6 months until they were two and a half years old. He asked 18-month and 3.5-year-olds to find red apples among blue apples in touchscreen tests.
Researchers found that the most active Shusha’s and children on the touchscreen detected red apples faster than children who did or did not do so. Dr. Rachel states that studies show that these devices also play an important role on the process of everyday learning. But we have to be vigilant about its proper use.
Major research findings
Based on the findings, the lead researcher of this study, Dr. Ana Maria, from Portugal, said that for the infants involved in the test, there was not much problem in finding red apples out of blue apples but finding red slices. There was no significant difference in the scores of the children of all groups.
We are still unable to explain why there were differences in the toddlers’ tests. Because this difference cannot be directly attributed to the use of touch screens on the screen. The study states that toddlers are more attracted to bright and colourful objects which helps them perform better.
Source: www.patrika.com
