The Impact of Screen Time on Speech Development in Children

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The Impact of Screen Time on Speech Development
in Children

• Speech development is crucial for children's
  overall growth.
• Excessive screen time may hinder speech
  milestones.
• Let's understand the connection between screen
  time and speech delay.

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Understanding Speech Delay
Speech delay is a condition where a child does
not reach the expected milestones in speech and
language development within a typical age
range. Early identification and intervention are
crucial to address speech delay, as it can impact
a child's communication skills, social
interactions, and academic progress if left
untreated.
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Signs of Speech Delay

• Limited vocabulary for age
• Difficulty forming sentences
• Inability to understand or follow directions
• Lack of babbling or making sounds by age 1
• Avoidance of social interaction
• Frustration when trying to communicate
• Difficulty pronouncing words or sounds
• Inconsistent speech development compared to peers
• Difficulty with rhyming or identifying sounds in
  words
• Persistent use of gestures instead of words for
  communication
• Speech delay can vary in severity and may be
  caused by a variety of factors including
  environmental influences, genetic
  predispositions, or underlying developmental
  issues.

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Negative Effects of Screen Time

• Many parents and caregivers undermine the
  negative effects of the screen. As a passive and
  one-sided medium of communication, screen time
  may come with the following disadvantages
• Screens hinder verbal communication
• Limited social interaction affects language
  development
• Reduced playtime impacts language experimentation
• Delayed speech may result from excessive screen
  exposure

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Sleep and Screen - The BIG Connection
Excessive screen time is known to disrupt sleep
patterns. This is because exposure to blue light
impacts melatonin production. Sleep issues can
have serious health implications.
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What happens when babies are exposed to screens
in infancy?

• Disruption of parent-child bonding
• Negative behaviors and unrealistic expectations
• Distortion of reality cue to exposure to
  unrealistic content

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Strategies to Limit Screen Time

• For children below the age of 3, we recommend
  going cold turkey!
• Here are some things that you can try
• Take a break from work, anywhere from a week to
  10 days off
• Have an activity calendar - drawing, painting,
  colouring, sensory bins, nature walks, reading,
  dressing up as family members, etc.
• Step out - a visit to the library, grocery store,
  zoo, park, etc.
• Offer choices they will absolutely love - peanut
  butter and chapati rolls, colouring, etc.
• Engage them in practical life activities -
  folding laundry, kitchen work, setting up the
  table, etc.

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Make Home Screen-Free Zones

• Designate areas free from screens
• Encourage outdoor play for physical activity
• Engage in pretend play to stimulate language
  development
• Parents of toddlers and preschoolers must also
  check with their childs playgroup and nursery
  regarding their screen time policy. Many schools
  offer constructive non-screen activities for
  children who have not been exposed to the screen
  yet.

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AAP Guidelines
You can balance screen time based on the
following guidelines set by the American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP) For Children Under 18
Months No screen, except for video chatting For
Children 18 to 24 Months Less than 30 mins per
day of high-quality programming Sit with your
child and help them understand what they are
seeing. For Children Aged 2 to 5 Years Maximum
ONE hour per day of high-quality programming Sit
with your child and help them understand what
they are seeing. For Children Aged 6 Years and
Older Set consistent limits on time spent using
TV, phone, tablet, computer, gaming devices
etc. Note Ensure that screen time doesn't
interfere with their sleep, physical activity,
and other healthy behaviors.
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BEWARE!

• Always be aware of what your child is viewing or
  consuming through the screen. Make sure to
• Filter content
• Avoid over stimulating content
• Set clear limits and use parental controls
• Model healthy screen habits

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If your little one is not meeting their speech
milestones, we urge you to consult a speech
therapist today. Reach out to our team of
expert speech and language therapists at our
centers in Bangalore and Hyderabad. WhatsApp 91
89048 42087 Call 91 78159 64668 (Hyderabad)
91 82299 99888 (Bangalore)