http://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png As we move more and more into a digital age, we use our devices for communication, news, information, games, and so much more. So, it’s natural to reach for a tablet when it comes time to read our child a story. After all, a book is a book, whether it’s print or electronic, right? Yes — and no. According to a study published in JAMA , there was an observable difference in interactions when parents read their toddlers books on a tablet instead of a print book. The toddlers were less interested and more likely to turn away. In general, they were less engaged. This is important, because engagement is key for child development. It’s the back-and-forth between the child and caregiver, or “serve and return” as described by the Harvard Center on the Developing Child , that builds neural connections and supports the development of communication and social skills. That “serve and return” doesn’t have to take place while reading a book. It can happen ...
