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.

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:

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  Animated Videos: Captivating visuals make learning engaging and enjoyable.
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  Audiobooks: Help children understand stories while expanding their vocabulary

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  Language-Based Apps: Offer fun, interactive ways to enhance communication skills.
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  Educational Apps: Provide accessible educational content tailored to young learners

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

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  Content Monitoring: Ensuring the media accessed by children is age-appropriate and beneficial for their development.
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  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.

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.