六九色堂

Jan. 28, 2019

Excessive screen time linked to preschool learning delays

Many children start school inadequately prepared to learn; electronic devices a factor, according to UCalgary study
六九色堂 researcher Sheri Madigan and co-authors of the study recommend that families create a family media plan to help limit screen time and encourage interaction with others. Photos by Riley Brandt, 六九色堂
六九色堂 researcher Sheri Madigan and co-authors of the study recommend that families c

One in four Canadian children are starting their school years inadequately prepared for learning and a newly published study led by the听六九色堂shows that excessive screen time is a key contributor to this growing problem.听

鈥淚s too much screen time a culprit in creating these disparities in learning? Likely, yes,鈥 says听Dr. Sheri Madigan,听PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the 六九色堂, and member of the听听at the听听(ACHRI) at the听听(CSM), lead author of the release.

鈥淥ur study shows that preschool kids who get too much screen time, on video games, internet-connected devices, television screens, and other digital mediums are among those showing delays and deficits in learning by the time they enter school at the age of five.鈥澨

Study of children in 2,500 Alberta homes

The听examined the association between screen time and early childhood development in 2,500 Alberta homes between 2011 and 2016. Families were asked to report on the number of hours their children spent in front of screen-based devices. The children who were monitored spent, on average, 2.4, 3.6 and 1.6 hours of screen time per day at two, three and five years of age, respectively. These amounts exceed the听听which states that children aged two to five spend no more than one hour per day with high-quality programming, geared towards learning and development. 听

The study also showed an association between excessive screen time and negative physical, behavioral and cognitive outcomes for the children tested. Children who had excessive screen time were failing to meet developmental milestones in language and communication, problem-solving, and fine and gross motor skills.听

鈥淲hat sets this study apart from previous research is that we looked specifically at the lasting impacts of screen time. Specifically, how screen time when children are two years of age impacts development at three years, and how screen time at three years impacts development when kids are five,鈥 says Madigan, who holds a Canada Research Chair in the Determinants of Child Development. 鈥淲hat these findings tell us is that one reason there may be disparities in learning and behaviour at school entry is because some kids are in front of their screens far too often in early childhood.鈥澨

Too much screen time contributes to learning deficits

Further, Madigan says, because their days are consumed with screen time, children aren鈥檛 getting enough physical activity, which means they aren鈥檛 developing the motor skills they need to run, ride a bike, or throw a ball.听

鈥淲e also know that a lot of the positive stimulation that helps kids with their physical and cognitive development comes from interactions with caregivers,鈥 she adds. 鈥淲hen they鈥檙e in front of their screens, these important parent-child interactions aren鈥檛 happening, and this can delay or derail children鈥檚 development.鈥澨

Dr. Suzanne Tough,听PhD, a co-author on this study听鈥斕齱ho is a professor in the CSM鈥檚 departments of Pediatrics and Community Health Sciences, and a member of the Owerko Centre at ACHRI, and the O鈥橞rien Institute for Public Health听鈥斕齯nderstands why parents are putting their children in front of screens. 鈥淢ost families live in a home with an internet-connected device and many screens,鈥 says Tough. 鈥淎nd, as a generation, we鈥檙e increasingly pressed for time. This easy access and accessibility of screens in the home creates a solution which is perceived as harmless for keeping children occupied.鈥澨

Recommendations for a family media plan

Madigan and Tough believe that the findings from this study can be of great use to health-care professionals who are seeking to guide parents on the appropriate screen time limits for their children. They recommend implementing a family media plan. This involves controlling the number of hours spent in front of screens but it can also include establishing device-free zones (such as the dinner table) and baskets where everybody puts their devices at certain points of the day, to make room for family connection.听

As for the parents who have already fallen into the pitfalls of too much screen time for their young children, Madigan stresses they need not despair.听

鈥淐hildren鈥檚 brains are developing over the course of childhood and beyond, so there鈥檚 time to make changes,鈥 says Madigan. 鈥淐reating that family media plan can be a step in the right direction.鈥澨

She adds: 鈥淭echnology is deeply entrenched in modern-day lives. Taking family-based steps to engage with technology in positive ways may be crucial to ensuring success for our children who are growing up in the digital age.鈥澨

Interested in this topic?

  • Learn more about Professor Sheri Madigan鈥檚 research into the听
  • Get guidance on the benefits and risks of technology for听