Admitting that technology has made our lives so easy is an understatement. Talk about doing a voice search on your phone or keeping your children entertained with kids’ apps on the Google Play Store.

However, do you ever pause to think about the demerits of technology on children? Obviously, social media and educative apps are remarkable innovations.

But how do these advancements affect the learning capabilities of your child?

Based on research, we know that children shouldn’t be exposed to screen until they’re 18 months and older.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case in many homes. What you’d usually find is a 6-month old child sitting in front of a wide screen in the living room getting entertained by Sponge Bob or Nickelodeon.

Now, these kids’ shows aren’t bad in themselves. Many of them are educative as well as entertaining. But the actual problem lies in the impact on the brain.

Let’s get a bit technical here.                                             

Language-based Learning versus Image-based Learning

Learning can happen in so many ways but we’ve decided to look at these two approaches.

As you read further, it’s advisable that you ask yourself how your child learns.  

Language-based Learning 

In this kind of learning method, your child spends time reading physical books and materials or engaging in actual tasks which require them to use their brain actively.

For example, reading an Enid Blyton book keeps your child mentally aware of the letters on the page, the words used, and the images they can see.

Such active reading gets the brain busy. Through this form of learning, the child learns vocabulary, grammar, and develops a creative mind.

The emphasis here is “a busy brain.” There’s a direct connection between the activity the child engages in and the brain.

Image-based Learning 

Unlike language-based/text-based learning, however, image-based learning focuses on learning through images such as pictures or videos. This is common with kids who spend most of their time using mobile devices or watching TV.

What you find is that these kids watch TV for long hours on end and they have easy access to their parents’ or guardians’ phones.

Usually, they only have to watch a cartoon and listen to or watch what is being shared. At other times, they could be required to click on certain commands so that certain actions can be made.

In terms of books, for example, they could listen to audio books. And for songs, they might only listen to songs without lyrics.

Comparing both Learning Approaches

Looking at both methods of learning, you see that the key difference lies in the activity level required of the child.

In the case of language-based learning, the child is involved in the learning process. Call this “active learning”. If it’s a physical book, the child would flip pages and pronounce words aloud.

If it’s a game like Lego, the child is required to build the blocks into whatever structure they want.

Conversely, with image-based learning, or “passive learning,” the child basically receives knowledge or information without necessarily contributing to it.

When a child watches a cartoon on the television, watching and listening is about all they’re doing. Thinking doesn’t really come into the picture.

A more appropriate analogy to show the difference here is

The brain is asleep during image-based learning

While

The brain rolls his sleeves and gets to work in language-based learning.

How does this sound?

The big question for you is: How do your kids learn?

  • Do they spend more time reading a physical book than watching TV?
  • Do they always want to have your phone to play games?

Inasmuch as image-based learning is great for engaging a child’s attention, it isn’t always enough to stimulate the brain.

Benefits of Language-based Learning

Looking closely at language-based learning, we admit that every language has the four main skills:

  • Listening
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Speaking

These four communicative skills are at the heart of every effective learning process. As a result, if your child isn’t maximizing the four skills during any learning activity, you could be training them to be deficient learners or communicators.

So, how do you leverage language-based learning in light of technology?

  • Limit screen time for kids to 1 hour a day once the child is between ages 2 and 3.
  • If your child has to spend time in front of the screen, be there with them. Watch the TV show or play the game together. Parent guidance is crucial.

What are the advantages of exposing your kids to resources which improve their overall abilities to speak, listen, read, and write?

  • Reading physical books doesn’t hurt the eyes the way eBooks do (think about screen brightness or the absence of blue light filter).
  • Mayo Clinic says that live performances are better for the brain of kids who are under age 2. Hence, you shouldn’t expose your 6-month old child to passive screen time or any screen time at all. This might seem impossible with the wide availability of tablets, PCs, mobile phones, and the like. But you can, if you make screen time rules.
  • Reducing the time kids spend with electronic media will reduce the rate at which they experience headaches, eye problems, and neck pain.
  • Moreover, live presentations or visual learning activities will help your child develop problem-solving skills as well as build a strong team spirit.
  • Whether your child is reading a real book or listening to actual people talk in the house, they get to gain a better understanding of what is being communicated.

Wrapping Up Children and Media

In brief, we’ve looked at the different ways through which kids learn. From physical books to live performances and group activities, kids have more to benefit from language-based learning.

Image-based learning equally has its upsides. But it’s essential that you strike a balance. That’s our vision in OPS – to empower our students to leverage the best of both worlds.

Send us an email using info@oyerindeprepschool.com to learn more about our language-focused learning methods.