Raising Your Child in a Digital World

 Raising Your Child in a Digital World

Reviewed By  Grasshopper2       August 16, 2016

 

Author  Dr Kristi Goodwin

Distributor:      Finch Publishing
ISBN:                 9781925048681
Publisher:         Finch Publishing
Release Date:   June 2016  

Website:    HTTP://www.finchpublishing.com.au 

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  How to raise your child in a digital world is one of the most posed questions I hear from my own family and other concerned parents and grandparents. Dr Goodwin has responded to an area of great concern with this book which covers many areas with a low key common sense approach. She reveals the astonishing figures that suggest our children aged between 0-8 years are spending nearly 2 hours a day watching screen media. Older children, aged between 8-18 are watching over 7 hours of screen media per day. The author has given us a recommended table of times for children to use digital media.

 The Doctor then explains the child’s brain function and how neural connectors are formed at an early age. These develop through experiences with the surrounding environment. Some of the ways in which technology can enhance young children’s learning, are by, “Catering to visual preferences, Compensating for emerging skills, and Providing instant access to information,” therefor the parent needs to be aware there are benefits to digital learning, but also needs to understand children’s development to be able to implement the safe amount and type of viewing for that age.

 Sleep is another aspect of this book that is looked at closely. There are considerations, such as falling asleep with a device on and how that impacts on the quality of sleep. Reading e-books before bed is again a matter of careful selection. The screen should be dim, with less blue light exposure and the distance between the child and the device should be greater. Sleep patterns and needs are discussed carefully and it is stressed that good sleep patterns need to develop at this time.

 Children’s play is a hugely important part of social life and development. So time needs to be managed between types of play and selected devices. Educational video games provide good stimulus for learning and add value to learning. But playing with toys, or games with friends, is a learning experience that will hold the child in good stead for life. Within this balance, the games they play need to be carefully selected. For example, the app about the human body, and the app from the South Pole, (Directly linking Father Christmas), are both valuable and informative for a child to use. Developing close relationships with family needs time, so meal times become an important gathering.

 Another helpful aspect of this book is the topic on older children’s addictions. Many countries consider the addiction to be a major health threat. It seems that research shows that children feel more powerful, respected and valued by others, while using their screen media. The author has suggested a variety of strategies to help wean these children off the treadmill they have chosen and to cut back on time spent on devices. She also suggests that the bedroom be a media free zone.

 In this new age, all parents, careers and grandparents, need to understand the effects of digital media on the child’s growth and development. This is an easy to read, informative book that should be in every home and Kindergarten.

Non Fiction