3 Things to Know about Children and Technology

The increased adoption of technology in modern society has brought numerous changes, but it can also have far-reaching consequences—both positive and negative, especially when it comes to childhood development. There is still debate over whether exposing children early to technology like tablets, computers, and digital entertainment can help or hinder their personal development, and popular advice can vary from enthusiastic support to staunch condemnation.

As with many things, however, there are both good and bad aspects that you should take into consideration, especially if you’re considering a career in early childcare. Technology has the ability to open children to new modes and styles of learning, but it also can affect their development and how they learn. If you’re interested in getting involved in early childcare, read on to find out what you should know about how technology can impact your future career.

1. Technology Can Affect Children’s Attention Levels

A good attention span helps our thinking process, perception, memory, and decision-making, among other areas. Our development of attention is influenced by our environment during and after childhood, and that includes the use of technology.

Technology primarily uses visual stimuli, which makes our brains pay attention to information in a more segmented way than reading or manual tasks. This means that children who are consistently exposed to technology are more capable of drawing information quickly, but it also means that they may fall behind in other areas, such as their attention span and ability to engage in critical thinking.

2. Early Childcare Assistants Should Keep Kids Active Indoors and Outdoors

The increased focus on technology has led to a reduction in how frequently children participate in regular physical activity. A recent Kaiser Foundation study found that children spent a daily average of 7.5 hours using entertainment technology, and this can affect how they build and apply their creativity and imagination.

Professionals with early childcare training should remember to keep kids active with classroom activities that engage different areas of their brains than the ones they use when interacting with technology. This can be as simple as gathering the class to read a book out loud, playing a game at recess, or incorporating hands-on toys and crafts that stimulate creativity.

3. Early Childcare Assistants Should Balance Screen Time Use in the Classroom

If you’re interested in an early childcare assistant career, technology can be a useful resource to use. It’s important, however, to remember moderation.

Childhood development is comprehensive and incorporates many different areas. Overwhelming kids with too much technology can make them fall behind in other crucial areas, which is why you should try to reach a healthy balance between using technology and engaging students in other activities that encourage growth. Having students participate in real-world social activities teaches them different lessons than what they learn from an online activity, and a great daycare includes a healthy mix of both.

Are you interested in learning more about where your early childcare assistant diploma can take you?

Contact Anderson College for more information about our programs.