An article entitled 'Is E-Reading to Your Toddler Story Time, or Simply Screen Time?' landed on the front page of The New York Times on Saturday and has since sparked numerous conversations around early learning, screen exposure, and the reading in the digital era. It seems everyone—from parents and educators to medical professionals and technology folks—has weighed in. The debate is an interesting one: The American Academy of Pediatrics recently recommended in a new policy statement that parents read to their children from birth. They also recommend no screen time before the age of two. Yet many parents rely on ereaders and tablets when it comes to reading, citing the interactivity as educational and entertaining for their little ones.
Literacy expert Lois Bridges penned a compelling response to this debate on our education blog, frizzle. She argues the importance and benefit of reading aloud in general, whether it be from a print book or an ereader. In her post, she draws upon research in early childhood education and provides parents with easy and effective recommendations for reading aloud. You can read the full piece here.
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