Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Post

Recent studies on tablet use in toddlers (like the one below ⬇ ) should give parents and caregivers pause. It's crucial to consider not just access to tablets, but how these devices are used during early childhood development. This research also prompts a broader reflection: How are we, as adults, interacting with our devices? Many of us may be using screens for self-soothing without realizing it. Advice for healthier tech use in young kiddos: - Choose interactive programs that encourage parent-child engagement - Set clear boundaries for device time for both children and adults - Practice mindful usage, being aware of why and when we reach for our devices Let's foster connection in our digital habits! Link to Full Study: https://lnkd.in/g9QVSipp

As usual, media are getting overexcited about research showing that preschool children who had higher tablet use during the Covid pandemic had greater difficulty regulating negative emotions 1 to 2 years later. It's a nice study, and it does go some way to consider bidirectional effects. However, as the authors point out, it may be that the parents who relied more heavily on using tablets as 'pacifiers' are those who faced greater adversity during Covid. And as we all know, almost all forms of adversity within a family unit can have an adverse impact on child development. If so, children's screen time may simply a proxy measure of adverse experiences, not a cause of impaired development. #cyberpsychology #screentime #childdevelopment

In the realm of childhood development, witnessing a three-year-old successfully control the reverse movement of a car is both astonishing and indicative of the incredible capabilities young minds possess. This scenario sheds light on the early stages of cognitive and motor skill development in children. At the age of three, children are typically navigating the transition from toddlerhood to the preschool years. While many may still be perfecting basic motor skills like walking and running, some demonstrate an early aptitude for more complex tasks. The ability to manipulate a remote control to guide a reversing car exemplifies the cognitive and fine motor skills that are rapidly evolving during this period. Controlled movement involves a coordination of cognitive functions and physical actions. In this case, the child is not only comprehending the cause-and-effect relationship between pressing buttons and the car's backward motion but is also refining hand-eye coordination to direct the vehicle accurately. This early demonstration of control and coordination is a testament to the child's developing spatial awareness and problem-solving abilities. It showcases how exposure to interactive and engaging activities can positively impact a child's cognitive development. Parents and caregivers can play a pivotal role in nurturing these burgeoning skills by providing age-appropriate toys and activities that stimulate both the mind and body. Activities involving coordination, spatial reasoning, and cause-and-effect relationships contribute significantly to a child's overall development.

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐫, 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐬 & 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐬: A new study published in 𝙅𝘼𝙈𝘼 𝙋𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙨 shows that children who’ve used tablets at three-and-a-half years old were more likely to exhibit signs of anger, frustration, difficulty sleeping, and losing interest in activities. The findings are based on a survey of more than 300 parents of preschool children. Researchers suggest that increased screen time can take away opportunities for interacting with caregivers or playing with other kids. “These results suggest that early childhood tablet use may contribute to a cycle that is deleterious for emotional regulation,” the researchers wrote. #parents #parenting #parentingtips #ipad #tablets #toddler #toddlers #TechTuesday #thewarningsdoctor

The next time you’re tempted to use screen time as a sort of babysitter, think twice. You could be setting up your child for a persistent struggle. It’s best to limit your preschooler’s screen time to no more than 30 minutes a day. There are three ways to limit your preschooler’s screen time. Find out here 🔻 https://lnkd.in/eQ7itn95 #screentime #adhdscreentime #balance #adhd #add #adhdparenting #adhdfamilies #adhdchildren #adhdmanagement #adhdlife #adhdsupport #adhdawareness #parentingstrategies #gentleparenting #parentingtips #parenting #positiveparentingtips

The Fewer Toys The Kids, The More They Play! Two decades ago, a German project called “der spielzeugfreie kindergarten” (the nursery without toys) wanted to see what would happen if they took toys away from kindergartens. All toys from participating classrooms were removed for 3 months. One of the teachers, Gisela Marti, said: “In these three months, we offer the children space and time to get to know themselves, and because they are not being directed by teachers or toys, the children have to find new ways to master their day in their own individual way.” The aim was to nourish self-confidence, imagination, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and socialization. Their days were deliberately unstructured to avoid the kids being rushed from one activity to the next. Instead, they were free to do what they wanted and how they wanted to do. A video of the children was taken each day. On the first day, they appeared confused and bored as they peered apprehensively their empty classroom. But, by the second day, the kids were playing with chairs and blankets, making dens by draping blankets over tables and weighing them down with shoes. Soon, they started running around the room, chatting and laughing excitedly. By the end of the third month, they were engaged in wildly imaginative play, able to concentrate better and communicate more effectively. In other research, Kathy Sylva, Professor of Educational Psychology, concluded after studying over 3000 children aged 3-5 years that “when children have a large number of toys, there seems to be a distraction element, and when children are distracted, they do not learn or play well.” Dr. John Richer, Pediatric Psychologist, explains when kids receive a new toy they go trough two stages: exploration followed by play. During the exploration mode, a child asks: “What does this toy do?” It is during the play mode that creativity, imagination and adaptability thrive. Ironically, by providing fewer toys, we provide more time for play.” #parenting #childdevelopment #psychology

My column today: As a parent, I’ve experienced the transition from play to screen-based childhood firsthand. We have our own rules and struggles with how to regulate tech inside the home. But what I’ve been most shocked by is how much of it is being driven by schools. I’d like to offer three practical steps for Dallas ISD schools to take to support our kids’ healthy development: https://lnkd.in/eGwkyYxS

Before we jump in... It's really important to understand that babies, toddlers, and preschoolers naturally have short attention spans. Oftentimes we may think our littles are "bored," as they move to one experience to another, or we may have an expectation that they should be sitting for play/an activity for longer than we observe. However, when it comes to supporting evolving attention spans in our littles, less is more! While caregivers come with best intentions to try and entertain young children, we may actually be getting in their way. 1. Child-led play: When children can engage in exploration and play of their choosing, they are intrinsically motivated and more likely to sustain their investigation for longer because it's self-directed. 2. Observe more, intervene less: Think of your child's play as their work. Now imagine your were working in your office and someone kept commenting on what you were doing or asking you questions. Distracting, right? Same notion applies to children. Try to step back and let children have the time & space to explore and investigate, independently. 3. Reduce toys and activities: We may be projecting our own boredom onto our children, in which we may feel compelled to provide new toys and/or activities to keep them entertained. The problem here is that if we're constantly introducing new things, we're not allowing children the opportunity to explore, expand upon, and revisit what's already in front of them. Children may become accustomed to the adult offering new stimuli, that they will eventually become more dependent on it. 4. Read engaging books: Reading to your child daily should be a staple experience, as it's super impactful for development. A great way to "rope your child in," is to read books that are interesting to them. 5. Avoid technology: We understand there is a time and place for technology, but screen time should be an intentional event of the day, and ideally not used as a response or as a preventative measure to a challenging experience. Remember children can't learn patience or how to self-occupy if they're not given the opportunity to practice these critical life skills.

Motor development milestones are crucial markers in a child’s physical growth and coordination. Here are the key milestones typically observed up to age 3: 0-3 Months: - Lifts head briefly when lying on stomach. - Begins to move arms and legs more smoothly. - Starts to grasp objects placed in hand (palmar grasp). - Begins to kick legs when lying on back. 4-6 Months: - Begins to roll over from back to stomach and vice versa. - Sits with support. - Reaches for and grabs objects. - Begins to bear weight on legs when held upright. 7-9 Months: - Sits without support. - Begins to crawl (either traditional crawling or bottom shuffling). - Pulls self to standing position using furniture or adult support. - Begins to explore objects by banging, shaking, and throwing. 10-12 Months: - Crawls efficiently or starts to walk independently. - Pulls self up to standing position without assistance. - Walks while holding onto furniture (cruising). - Begins to use pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) to pick up small objects. - Begins to throw objects deliberately. 12-18 Months: - Walks independently. - Climbs stairs with assistance. - Begins to squat and stand back up. - Throws objects with some accuracy. - Begins to use utensils for eating. 18-24 Months: - Runs with more control. - Climbs onto furniture and other low objects. - Kicks a ball. - Begins to jump with both feet. - Scribbles with crayons or markers. 2-3 Years: - Runs more confidently and begins to turn corners while running. - Climbs stairs independently. - Pedals a tricycle. - Begins to catch a large ball using arms and body. - Builds towers with blocks. These milestones serve as general guidelines and individual children may reach them at slightly different ages. If you have concerns about your child’s motor development, consult with a paediatrician or child development specialist. Reach out to us at: Inframe: @laksh_mipiska (Life Coach) Consult her: 9491208645 Website: www.truhap.com

"Current brain research tells us that to properly prepare children for academic learning, they need to actively participate in their learning. Allowing them freedom of choice is the first touchpoint..." ⬇ 🧠 #wunderled #earlychildhood #preschool #earlylearning #earlydevelopment #childcare #playbasededucation #childledlearning #childhood #education #earlychildhoodeducation #teaching