Do Touch Screens Make Toddlers More Distractable? Dr. Stacy weighs in...

www.verywellfamily.com  Article by Ali Ansell

Since 2015, touchscreen use in toddlers has increased dramatically.1 The increase is even more pronounced since COVID-19 lockdowns.2 Acknowledging this trend, researchers from Birkbeck University in London sought to uncover what impact this may be having on toddler brain development.

Researchers found that toddlers with high screen use had a harder time avoiding distractions while trying to complete a task on a screen, compared to young kids with low screen usage. However, they also found that the kids used to more screen time had faster response times when it came to noticing flashy objects that showed up on the tablet.2.......

Counseling psychologist Stacey Haynes, EdD, LPC, ACS, specializes in working with children and families. She provides some tips for parents to help toddlers to focus. 

• Fidgets: These can be small toys, Legos, twisty toys, or anything that allows kids to stay where they are and still be moving their hands.
• Thumb wrestling: Teach kids to move only their hands to thumb wrestle with their own thumbs.
• Coloring: Restaurants often hand out coloring pages and crayons to keep children occupied while waiting for their meals. Pack your own for other settings. 
• Practice sitting still: Use a timer at home and practice with your child sitting for longer periods of time.
• Stay nearby: Many children struggle to complete activities by themselves. Make sure you are working with them if they need to focus.
• Give breaks: None of us can sit forever. Allowing a child to stand, shake off the wiggles, and sit back down will help them sit for longer periods of time.

What's Next?.....See link below for full article...

https://www.verywellfamily.com/do-touchscreens-make-toddlers-more-distractible-5119381