Delay the use of touch screen electronics
for your baby or risk speech delay
A new study has found a link between the
use of handheld devices by babies and speech delay. The study was presented at
the 2017 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting. The research studied the
correlation between speech delay and time spent by children between ages six
months and two years with handheld electronics (smartphones, tablets and
electronic games). Of the study group of 1,070 kids, about 70% of the children
had no handheld screen time and 20% spent an average of 28 minutes per day
using handheld, touch screen electronic devices. The researchers identified a
significant association between handheld screen time and expressive speech
disorder. They also found that for every 30 minutes of screen use above the
average the risk increased 49%. Analyzed by speech therapy centres in Coimbatore.
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| Hearing aid centre Coimbatore |
More research is needed
This was initial research and the only
concrete finding was the need for more research. Regardless, we speech therapy for children are not
surprised by the speech delay results. Many of the children are obsessed with
the smartphones and iPads and if they are in sight it is very difficult to keep
them motivated to do any other activity. Smartphone use definitely seems to work against improving or promoting
social language skills.
Note, this study looked at very young
children.
Technology is great to motivate
pre-schoolers and grade school children to learn (ex. preschoolers learning
letters or grade school kids practicing math facts). In developing infants it
sure seems to cause some trouble.
Hence it is important to take sensible
decisions as parents to help your child progress.
