Transcript Document

Babies in our Tech World
Wendy Parise
Santa Monica College
Abstract
Results
Technology use in the daily lives of the average American has
increased exponentially over the last decade. Could this
potentially have an effect on the caregiver/infant relationships,
thus impacting the attachment relationship between parent and
child? What does the future hold for this generation of
children and beyond?
Both workshop presentations were well received and
participants unanimously reported that the information raised
awareness of how technological distraction could potentially
impact young children’s development. The parent group was
surprisingly uninformed about the importance of the
attachment relationship and had many questions. The
facilitator spent time discussing the different types of
attachment relationships and their impact on their child’s
development. Both groups related instances of their own
distraction with cell phone usage or observed instances of
technologically preoccupied parents clearly ignoring their
babies. It was surprising to learn that out of the 25 mothers,
90% of them confessed they either talked or texted on their
phone while breast or bottle feeding their babies on more than
one occasion. The college students reported that this
workshop would be highly beneficial to parents of infants or
expectant parents they work with.
Researchers are asking the same questions, yet to date there is
no hard data. Anecdotal observations indicate that an overuse
of technology in one’s daily life can affect relationships.
Older children of technology distracted parents articulate
having to compete with technology in order to gain attention
from their parents. What might be happening to the infant who
is cared for by the technologically distracted parent?
The facilitator designed a workshop to inform parents of
infants on the importance of an attuned, healthy attachment
relationship with their baby as the foundation for healthy
development. The workshop raises awareness of current
technology usage and assists attendees in determining whether
it is interfering in any way upon their relationship and/or
quality time with their child.
Objectives
Context: A healthy attachment relationship with a primary
caregiver is foundational to healthy child development.
Could a primary caregiver’s overuse of technology in daily
life (e.g. cell phone, email, texting) interfere with the
development of a healthy infant/caregiver attachment
relationship?
Objective: Research the effect of technology on
caregiver/infant/young child interaction and create a workshop
to raise awareness of the potential dangers of technology
overuse when caring for infants, toddlers and children.
Specifically, the workshop will inform participants regarding:
• How technology is affecting their everyday lives
• The importance of the caregiver/infant relationship in the
healthy development of children 0-3.
• How misuse of technology can get in the way of a healthy
caregiver/infant relationship.
• At least 1 way they can change the way they (or those they
know) can adjust how they use technology in order to
promote healthy infant/caregiver relationships.
Justification/rationale: This workshop and its materials could
be presented to any parent group or used by any instructor
seeking to educate their group
Materials and Methods
The facilitator reviewed numerous articles and books
regarding technology usage today. She reviewed surveys
regarding technology usage in the United States,
internationally, over various ages and socioeconomic levels.
In addition, the facilitator did research on technology’s effect
on the brain and reviewed attachment theory.
The facilitator developed a workshop designed to inform
participants on the importance of a secure attachment and help
them determine whether their daily technological use was
interfering in any way with that relationship. Specifically, the
workshop addressed the following topics:
• How is technology affecting our everyday lives?
• What is the importance of the caregiver/infant relationship
in the healthy development of children birth to age 3?
• How might misuse of technology can get in the way of a
healthy caregiver/infant relationship?
• If technology overuse is found to be a personal challenge,
determine at least one way the individual can change
(especially when an infant or child is in one’s care).
The workshop was presented to a parent group of 25
participants (mothers of children ages 4 and under) and a class
of 22 early childhood education college students enrolled in an
Infant Development class.
The workshop materials include a facilitator’s guide, a
PowerPoint presentation, “Technology Personal Usage”
survey, and a “Digital Diet” commitment contract.
RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION DESIGN © 2012
www.PosterPresentations.co
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Conclusions
Outcomes: This information is intended to be shared with all
parents of infants and toddlers or expectant parents so they
can inspect their daily technology usage and institute life-style
changes if warranted. Raising awareness of the critical
importance of healthy attachment relationships and the vital
role parents’ play in the developmental health of their child
needs to be made readily available to new parents.
Implications: Families of today are using more and more
personal digital devices in their everyday lives. The
implications on how the use of this technology may affect
family relationships and healthy child development is yet to
be determined. We cannot halt the use of technology, nor
should we deny its usefulness to us. Rather, raising awareness
of one’s daily use of technology and the potential negative
affect it can have on our relationship with our child and thus
their development is information all parents and caregivers
need to consider.
References
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Contact
Wendy Parise
[email protected]