Children need parents to prioritize their attention and engage with them directly, without distractions.
Engaging with Children: The Key to Their Development
It’s nearly impossible not to smile at a young baby when confronted with a toothless grin — and even a difficult day can improve when a child, unprompted, offers a wave. These connections with children are sweet and endearing, but they offer something even more important: they give them developmental skills that will help them excel later in life.
The Power of Eye Contact
Parents may be aware of their small child’s need for interaction beginning at a young age, and research has shown that eye contact in particular is imperative for infants’ development. In a 2002 paper, researchers conducted experiments showing the importance of making eye contact with newborns. “Making eye contact is the most powerful mode of establishing a communicative link between humans,” the authors noted. “During their first year of life, infants learn rapidly that the looking behaviors of others conveys significant information.” They found that babies preferred looking at people who were making eye contact with them, noting that “[t]he exceptionally early sensitivity to mutual gaze [eye contact] … is arguably the major foundation for the later development of social skills.”
The Impact of Parental Interaction
Interactions with children at a young age play a major role in their development, especially communication skills. Abby Barnes, a speech therapist, discusses how undivided attention from caregivers helps babies master communication capabilities even before they can talk. Barnes details how simply speaking to one’s child can help them in so many areas, such as play development, their ability to form phrases and sentences, back and forth interactions, eye contact, and skills in communicating what they want and need. All of these skills help them grow and become high-functioning adults in society who have the ability to interact with people in both casual circumstances and on deep, emotional levels.
The Rise of Distracted Parenting
In recent years, however, a new object has been the focus of our attention and children are taking note. Young babies are often enthralled with a parent’s smartphone. This can be the case even if the child is not allowed to use the phone or interact with the screen. The lights are enticing, but they are also picking up on our own obsession with the devices.
Dubbed “distracted parenting,” concern has increased over parents’ use of their mobile devices when they are with their children — not only because of the dangers it may pose in a high-risk setting, but because of how the child’s development could be impaired.
The Negative Impact of Cell Phone Use
According to Dr. Michael Mintz, a clinical psychologist at Children’s National Hospital, babies notice the attachment adults have to their devices as they get close to turning one year old. “They observe adults spending long periods of time looking at their phones, and they probably notice how frequently we tend to have our phones in our hands,” Mintz told Romper.
Children’s device activity is a common consideration among parents who try to limit or control how often their child uses a screen. They might be missing the point, however, if they focus all of their efforts on how to regulate the screen time of their kids instead of considering how often their own eyes are glued to screens when they are around their little ones. Research shows that when parents use cell phones in front of children, it has a negative impact on the child’s overall development and wellbeing.
The Consequences of Cell Phone Use
In a 2022 study, researchers found that parents reported that their children had a lower emotional intelligence if the parent used their mobile device more often in front of their child. A 2016 study showed that a mother’s phone use has an impact on the social-emotional functioning of infants. When a mother reported using her cell phone more often, the child was less likely to explore his or her surroundings while she was distracted. Children also engaged less with the mother when the mother went back to interacting normally with the baby.
Boston University School of Medicine researchers also discovered that mothers who used their cell phones were less likely to engage in conversation with their children during mealtimes. They had 20% fewer verbal interactions and 39% fewer nonverbal interactions, which can ultimately result in a less emotionally secure child.
Parental use of cell phones affects the ways in which children behave in public, as well. An experiment conducted by Dr. Jenny Radesky in 2015 found that when a child’s parents were heavily absorbed in their mobile devices, the child was more likely to misbehave, attempting to receive attention from the parent. The researchers also pointed out that the more a caregiver was absorbed by a device, the more likely they were to react sternly to a child acting out.
The Importance of Connection
The ways in which parents connect with their children have major implications for the psychological wellbeing of the child and who he or she will become in the future. By gazing at our phones instead of our children, we are failing to provide them with the connections they crave. As mobile devices take the place of in-person interactions and allow us to receive information at a moment’s notice, they threaten to become a barrier between ourselves and the people we are able to impact the most.
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What are the consequences of distracted parenting on a child’s language and social skills?
Ad higher levels of behavioral problems, such as aggression, hyperactivity, and tantrums, when they used their cell phones frequently in front of them. The study also revealed that children whose parents were consistently absorbed in their phones had decreased language and social skills compared to children whose parents engaged with them without distractions.
Furthermore, the lack of eye contact and interpersonal interaction caused by cell phone use can hinder a child’s emotional development. Without consistent face-to-face communication, children may struggle to develop empathy, emotional intelligence, and the ability to form healthy relationships. In a world where technology is becoming increasingly prevalent, it is crucial for parents to make a conscious effort to engage with their children without distractions.
The Importance of Quality Time
To counteract the negative impact of distracted parenting, it is vital for parents to prioritize quality time with their children. This means setting aside dedicated time each day to engage with their children, free from distractions. Whether it is through play, reading, or simply having a conversation, meaningful interactions between parents and children are instrumental in their development.
Engaging with children not only aids their cognitive and emotional growth but also strengthens the parent-child bond. Children who feel valued and heard are more likely to develop a positive sense of self and have higher self-esteem. These children also tend to perform better academically and exhibit improved behavior both at home and in social settings.
Creating Healthy Boundaries
Establishing healthy technology boundaries is essential for both parents and children. Setting designated times for screen use and implementing device-free zones or activities can allow for uninterrupted family time. By actively demonstrating the importance of face-to-face interaction and being present, parents can instill valuable skills in their children that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Parents must also be mindful of their own technology use. By leading by example and limiting their own screen time when around their children, parents send a powerful message about the importance of human connection.
In Conclusion
Engaging with children is crucial for their development. Eye contact, parental interaction, and quality time foster essential skills, including communication, social interaction, and emotional intelligence. It is vital for parents to be aware of the impact their own device use may have on their children and take steps to create a healthy balance between technology and interpersonal connections.
By actively engaging with their children, parents can provide the support and guidance necessary for their children to thrive both academically and socially. Investing time and attention into building strong relationships with our children is not only beneficial for their development but also immensely rewarding for both parties involved.
In a world that is becoming increasingly digital, it is more important than ever to prioritize meaningful connections with our children. By doing so, we equip them with the skills and abilities they need to succeed in life and navigate the challenges of the digital age with confidence and resilience.
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