by Stephanie Brown*
The Joan Ganz Cooney Center promotes advancement in children’s learning through digital media.
Their recent research involving a study of more than 800 parents of children ages 3 through 10 exposed how parents all over the country feel about educating their children in the face of technology. The results from this research were complied into their “Families matter: Designing media for a digital age” report.
Some of the key findings include:
- Institutional and cultural factors as well as parents’ personal histories shape children’s experiences with digital media.
- A majority of parents would rather share “traditional” media activities with their kids.
- Most parents believe computer-based activities are the most productive and beneficial type of media for a young child’s learning, while mobile phones are seen as least worthy for learning.
- Parents worry about the way digital media and kids…mainly that children’s physical health, safety and privacy, and face-to-face interaction development are being affected. Call it old-fashioned, but face-to-face communication is still vital in developing strong interpersonal skills and something digital media can’t offer.
- Virtually two-thirds of parents limit their kids’ media use on a situational basis.
- How do you feel about kids and technology?
Parents as Teachers Knowledge Studio offers training in age appropriate ideas for toys, games and activities to engage parents in play. Learn more in Parents and Children at Play.
*Stephanie Brown is a graduate of Maryville University and an intern with Parents as Teachers.
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