Electronic Media in the Preschool

12/10/2003

Electronic Media in the Preschool

"What can't be said can't be said and it can't be whistled either." - Ram Tirtha

ELECTRONIC MEDIA IN THE PRESCHOOL

Children under six are now spending more time connected to electronic media than reading books. This is the finding of a study, "Zero to Six: Electronic Media in the Lives of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers," recently completed by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. We are going to share some findings from this study and then invite you to share your views on our live opinion poll:

* Children six and under spend an average of two hours a day using screen media (1:58), about the same amount of time they spend playing outside (2:01), and well over the amount they spend reading or being read to (39 minutes).

* Nearly half (48%) of children six and under have used a computer (31% of 0-3 year-olds and 70% of 4-6 year-olds).

* Just under a third (30%) have played video games (14% of 0-3 year-olds and 50% of 4-6 year-olds).

* Forty-three percent of those under two watch TV every day, and 26% have a TV in their bedroom.

* In any given day, two-thirds (68%) of children under two will use a screen media, for an average of just over two hours (2:05).

* Seventy-two percent of parents surveyed said that computer products mostly help children's learning.

To go to the Kaiser Foundation web site and learn more about this study, go to:
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia102803nr.cfm

What is your opinion? To express your opinion on the use of electronic media in early childhood settings, click here into our survey.

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.