New study indicates screentime puts pause on toddler’s learning

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - In a digital age, children have more access to potential distractions than ever before, but how is this affecting their development? A new study released this week shared how screen time is putting a pause on toddler learning.

“Our teachers do use screen time with children, but it’s used with intent,” said Mahera Chiarizio, director of education at HCS Head Start.

According to researchers and educators in western Massachusetts, screen time has a time and place in toddlers’ lives, but it’s minimal. Educare is an early childhood care center in downtown Springfield that bases every facet of their childcare off of data from their research team with the American Academy of Pediatrics. A recent study on young minds and media led to conversations with caregivers.

“We use data also to show them and not to use it in a punitive way, but to say, ‘This is what the science says, this is what we’re observing,’” said Nikki Burnett, executive director of Educare Springfield.

Those observations show atypical sensory processing. Burnett told Western Mass News that their curriculum requires students to learn by playing, not by watching what’s on a screen. They also encourage caregivers to look for other outlets.

“Here are other opportunities, here are other suggestions for you,” Burnett added.

Educare recommended that parents and caregivers encourage drawing or reading instead of entertaining their children with a screen. If the family doesn’t have access to crayons or books, the school has the opportunity to send home ‘enrichment boxes’ to help. As a last resort, Chiarizo told Western Mass News that there’s a way to work in intentional screentime.

“Screentime can be a beneficial to way to learn. However, I think parents and caregivers need to understand what that looks like,” Chiarizio explained. “If parents are going to expose their children to screen media, select high quality content form social media such as Sesame Workshop, PBS. They offer great high quality as well and, most importantly, be there to interact.”

Research shows even adult consumption of media effects younger minds.

“When we think about screen time, we just think about you’re on an iPad, you’re on a phone, you’re in front of the television, but really when we think about the sensory of children and how we’re trying to build learning minds, we’re trying to build a habit of learning, right, and if we have that background noise as a young child, two years old and less…what does that do to them?” Burnett noted.

According to studies by both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Journal of the American Medical Association, constant stimulation from screens and media stunts social skills development. Many caregivers see a screen as a chance to regroup while their toddler is entertained, but that’s where the real damage lies. Chiarizo pointed out unmonitored screen time can expose children to sensitive and age-inappropriate content.

“We need to make sure that when we’re using screen time with children, that we’re tying it into the real world, and that’s where those learning opportunities can happen,” Chiarizo noted.

Experts said sensory processing impacts can come in the form of delayed communication or problem-solving skills.

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