Compared with physical toys, games played by preschoolers using tablets lack creativity and imagination? A new study from Uppsala University shows this, and the difference is huge. The result refutes the occasional claim that new technologies will make children more creative.
Robin Samuelsson of the Scandinavian Language Department of Uppsala University pointed out: "Although this study is small, he shows that we should probably be cautious about using touch screens for preschool children."
Uppsala University and researchers from the University of London School of Education in the UK compared nearly 100 gaming activities conducted by two groups of preschool children, 2-year-olds and 4-5-year-olds. 30 children from both kindergartens participated in the study in the kindergarten’s free play course, which was to play without much involvement of teachers. Free play accounts for about 57% of preschool children’s time.
researchers conducted a multi-method study in which they recorded videos of children playing in preschool classes. They checked the modes of the kids playing games and what the kids did while playing with tablets and compared them with physical toys like toy blocks and dress up clothes. In playing with the tablet, the focus is on what kids do on the screen and with their peers. After the study adopts the established classification framework for children’s games, children’s games were compared.
This study shows that games involving tablets are more exploratory, but have fewer elements of play and fantasy. The nature of tablet games is also different from the games that children of that age usually play. The study also found that children speak less when tablet is involved.
At present, due to the development of technology and the epidemic, more and more parents will choose to use electronic products for children, but the problems behind this are worth our consideration.
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