Research has revolutionized the way we approach parenting, offering valuable insights into child development. From the get-go, we’ve learned that interacting with babies, through talking, reading, and even singing, is crucial for nurturing their language and pre-literacy skills. But in today’s fast-paced world, many parents find themselves juggling multiple responsibilities, leading to questions about whether it’s safe to let babies listen to speech through screens like TV. Let’s see what the experts have to say.
Background noise, especially from TV, can be detrimental to your child’s learning. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children under 2 years old should not watch television. However, we all know that sometimes it’s tempting to turn on a kid’s show while trying to get things done. While most parents are aware that excessive TV viewing is not ideal, they may not realize the negative impact it can have, especially when it’s in the background.
Babies start making vowel sounds as early as 2 months, and by 4 months, some may even start babbling. Their brains are like sponges, absorbing all the language around them as they strive to form their first words. However, not all forms of language are created equal, and background TV noise can be more of a distraction than a help.
Research has shown that having the television on in the background can impede language development. Infants have a hard time distinguishing between sounds, and background TV noise can be particularly detrimental to their language learning. In fact, a longitudinal study found that kids exposed to TV background noise at the age of 2 experienced a significant drop in verbal IQ by the time they reached kindergarten.
According to a study by the American Psychological Association (APA), American kids are exposed to an average of 232.2 minutes of background TV noise every day, with babies and toddlers being the most vulnerable. These little ones are also the most affected by the negative consequences.
So, what’s the difference between talking to your baby in person and letting them listen to TV chatter? It’s a lot more than you might think. When babies engage in interactions with parents, they’re in a focused, thinking mode, actively learning how language and communication work. These interactions involve paying attention and picking up cues like body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions. In contrast, listening to media is a passive activity that doesn’t require much attention.
For instance, when you say “I love you” to your baby and point to yourself and them, you’re helping them understand the meaning of those words. But if a baby hears the same words from a TV, it won’t have the same impact.
Research indicates that in-person conversations are the most effective way to teach babies how to talk, while background noise, like TV, can distract from this process, potentially leading to poorer learning outcomes in the future. The number of words spoken directly to a child directly correlates with the size of their vocabulary, while words they overhear from various sources, including TV, don’t count.
So, how can you incorporate more in-person talking with your baby without needing to clear your schedule and engage in hours of face-to-face conversation? Here are some practical ideas:
- Read out loud to your baby: Create a reading routine for your family. Reading, whether it’s storybooks, newspapers, signs, or instructions, exposes your baby to language and helps them understand where it comes from.
- Sing to your baby: Singing is not only fun and soothing but also helps your baby’s brain absorb language skills.
- Narrate your tasks: Describe what you’re doing during daily tasks. For example, while doing laundry, talk about washing, drying, and folding clothes, pointing out colors, textures, and even your baby’s favorite items.
- Talk with others in front of your baby: Engage in conversations with other adults while your baby listens. They’ll hear different voices, expressions, and new words, all of which contribute to their language development.
- Take your baby on a guided tour: Describe your surroundings as you take your baby for a walk around your neighborhood or your home. Point out shapes, colors, objects, and people to provide a rich linguistic experience.
In conclusion, while modern parenting may be busier than ever, it’s essential to prioritize in-person interactions and conversations with your baby to foster their language development. These interactions are more meaningful and effective compared to passive background noise from TV or other screens. So, seize every opportunity to engage with your baby and help them build their language skills from day one.