The Role of Parents in Using Digital Media to Foster Children’s Language Development

Wednesday, 12 March 2025 |
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Health and Well-being

The Role of Parents in Using Digital Media to Foster Children’s Language Development
Dwi Anisa Faqumala, Research and Development Staff, SEAMEO CECCEP

 

 

Dear Parents, Did you know that in today’s digital era, media has become an integral part of daily life, not only for adults but also for children? With the rapid production and accessibility of digital media, children are now primary targets for various digital products. This underscores the importance of parents understanding how digital media can be used positively, particularly to stimulate early childhood language development.

 

Why is Digital Media Important for Language Development?

Digital media can be a powerful tool for parents to support their child’s language development. Research by Budi Iskandar and Ernawulan Syaodih (2022), The Role of Parents in Using Digital Media to Stimulate Early Childhood Language, reveals that children who frequently interact with various forms of digital media tend to show advancements in both receptive language (listening and comprehension skills) and expressive language (speaking and communication skills). However, this progress is contingent on appropriate use, emphasizing the critical role of parents in guiding digital media use and setting limits.

 

Popular forms of digital media for children include:


  • 1
    Animated Videos: Captivating visuals make learning engaging and enjoyable.
  • 2
    Audiobooks: Help children understand stories while expanding their vocabulary
  • 3
    Language-Based Apps: Offer fun, interactive ways to enhance communication skills.
  • 4
    Educational Apps: Provide accessible educational content tailored to young learners

 

The Crucial Role of Parents

Parents play a pivotal role in directing and supervising their children’s digital media usage. Key aspects of this role include:

  • 1
    Content Monitoring: Ensuring the media accessed by children is age-appropriate and beneficial for their development.
  • 2
    Active Engagement: Participating in digital activities with children, such as discussing the content of videos or audiobooks, to deepen understanding and foster language skills
  • 3
    Being Role Models: Demonstrating responsible and mindful digital media use to set a positive example for children.

 

Challenges to Overcome

Despite the benefits of digital media, certain challenges must be addressed. For instance, children from low-income families often have limited access to technology, hindering their learning opportunities. Additionally, many parents may lack the knowledge or skills to effectively leverage digital media for their child’s education.

 

Recommendations for Parents

  • 1
    Set Screen Time Limits: Establish clear guidelines for digital media use, balancing screen time with other enriching family activities
  • 2
    Parent Training: Equip yourself with knowledge about optimising digital media for child development. This will help you select suitable content and guide your child’s digital interactions
  • 3
    Support Digital Infrastructure: Advocate for improved technological access in your community to ensure equitable learning opportunities for all children.

Dear Parents, when used wisely, digital media can significantly impact a child’s language development. However, active parental involvement in supervising, guiding, and modelling proper digital media use is equally essential. With the right approach, digital media can become an effective tool for fostering language and communication skills, preparing children for a highly digitalised world. Let’s work together to create a balanced and enriching digital environment for our children’s future!

 

Reference: Iskandar, Budi & Ernawulan syaodih. (2022). The Role of Parents in Using Digital Media to Stimulate Early Childhood Language Development. Vol 3 (2):  SEACECCEP Journal


The SEAMEO Regional Centre for Early Childhood Care, Education, and Parenting (SEAMEO CECCEP), based in Bandung, Indonesia, specializes in research, advocacy, and capacity building for stakeholders in early childhood care, education (ECCE), and parenting.

See more interesting articles by SEAMEO CECCEP at https://elibrary.seameo.org/viewdetail/content/2615