Technology and helping your child’s talking

Mobile phones, tablets and TVs are part of daily life. Research is ongoing into how this technology affects children. Some risks to language development have been found.

These top tips can help your child’s language development when using screens.

1. Children benefit from talking and playing with you. Use toys instead of screens – children have fun with you when you play with toys together, and this will help their talking skills. Sharing books is also a really good way to support your child’s talking.
2. Join in by talking about what you see on the screen; point to different things; and play using real objects as you watch.
   Comment – talk about what is on the screen. Describe who or what you can see, where they are, what is happening or what might happen next.
   Expand what they say – repeat what your child says, adding on one or two extra words for instance if your child says “red car,” you could say “big, red car.”
   Take turns – help your child to take turns within games and by sharing their screen with you or another child.
3. Choose programmes and games for your child’s age or stage of development. Keep an eye on if your child is just having the screen on in the background or if they are engaging with it more actively. Try to interact with it together!
4. Link what your child is watching to their real life experiences. For example, you could plan a trip to visit the farm or zoo to see the animals your child has seen on TV.
5. Turn it off! Children find it easier to listen and pay attention to what you are saying and doing when there are no distracting screens; even when they are on in the background. Limit screen use by having a routine when your child can have screen time, e.g. 30 minutes before dinner.
6. Reduce your own use of phones, tablets and TVs at mealtimes, playtimes and bedtimes in front of your child as this will take your attention away from them and can affect your play and talking with your child.

Last reviewed March 26