I just
wanted to take the opportunity to respond to another report in a newspaper:
Head teachers have accurately said that parents shouldn't check their phones when their
children are talking to them, as this can make sure they feel important and
valued.
Why is this so important?
Communication
is a two way interaction between people, children need to have the opportunity
to interact with people that will listen to them; and respond to their
questions and comments about the world around them. This will help them to
learn how to communicate and use language skills that are appropriate and
expected by others i.e. turn taking, listening attentively etc.; and also why
we communicate i.e. for our needs and wants to be met.
Realistically
can this be done if mum or dad or, our child’s carers spend a large proportion
of this valuable time texting, responding to emails, accessing social media
etc. Previously, a large impact on a child’s speech, language and communication
was the effect of ‘wallpaper television’ i.e. the television being on
constantly in the background, impacting on effective interaction and
communication between children and adults. Today, I think another challenge is
the mobile phone, as this can be taken anywhere.
What affect can mobile phones have on
effective communication?
·
Reduces
the time spent talking to each other, face to face
·
Reduces
vocabulary expanding opportunities
·
Reduces
effective modelling of social interaction skills i.e. listening attentively to
the speaker, turn taking, ending conversations appropriately etc.
·
Reduces
opportunities for parent-child interaction, affecting the quality and quantity
of that interaction
·
Prevents
good eye contact
·
You
may not be aware of non-verbal communication i.e. pointing, body language,
gestures; your child may be using to support his/her communication
Fortunately,
I have not come across many parents in my pre-school language groups who
regularly access their phones rather than join in with the session. However, I
do know that many of my colleagues have. So if you work with parents and their
children, think about talking to them about the use of mobile phones and the
impact it can have on their children’s speech, language and communication
skills.
Georgina
White
