Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories
While browsing the internet, I came across a research study regarding children and play and their ability to identify facial emotions. The study focused on the fact that many children today are spending less time engaging in creative play but focusing most of their attention towards playing with electronics and watching television. Researcher tied children's inability to recognize facial emotions due to their lack of engagement in play and social engagement with other children. According to NRP (2014) "The study, published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior, found that sixth-graders who went five days without exposure to technology were significantly better at reading human emotions than kids who had regular access to phones, televisions and computers" (para. 2).
The study consisted of 2 groups, one that was sent to camp and the other group was exposed to life as most 6th graders know it, usual life (technology). The study was over a five day period in which both groups were shown 50 faces at the end of the 5 day study. The researchers of the study found that the group of students that went to camp scored higher when identifying emotional facial expressions. The best message that I learned from this study as a educational professor is the importance of social-emotional engagement and creative play, aside from emphasis on using technology to solve boredom and as a replacement to interact with our peers. Face to face interactions are more important and much more meaningful than texting, which is what most middle school aged children are getting more and more familiar with doing, as well as utilizing social media. I feel as though technological interactions should be limited and the importance of social face to face and personal interactions should be expressed and encouraged between children, educators and families. Play also promotes a child's self awareness and awareness of empathy amongst their peers.
Please visit link below for more details and information:
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2014/08/28/343735856/kids-and-screen-time-what-does-the-research-say
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This was a very interesting read and I will definitely be looking more into the details. Although technology is becoming more integrated into the classrooms, I believe that in early childhood social/emotional engagement is so important. I see children all the time as I am out and about with their eyes glued to cell phones and tablets. In order to keep that social/emotional aspect strong, parents must engage with them more and for use as educators, we must continue to strengthen that aspect while they are in our care.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting and relevant study that is. Technology nowadays is something children are growing up with. I have seen in restaurants when parents give children IPads so that the child gets immersed in it and does not bother or interrupt adult conversations. Several studies have proven the importance of play, especially during early years. “Studies looking at the specific behaviors during pretend play suggested that social pretend play provides opportunities for reciprocity and complexity, which are commonly seen in social interactions” (Li et. al, 2016, p.61). Although technology may result useful in some areas, we should not neglect play nor let children be exposed to technology for too long.
ReplyDeleteReference:
Li, J., Hastens, L. & Wang, Y. (2016 Feb). Links between Preschool Children’s Social Skills and Observed Pretend Play in Outdoor Childcare Environments. Retrieved from: http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3&sid=483c736f-d956-47ca-b06d-b88b546c4ee0%40sessionmgr4007