As someone who works closely with children, I’ve seen firsthand how balanced screen time can actually benefit kids, especially those with learning and thinking differences. While it’s common to hear about the potential downsides of screen use, there are important advantages that often get overlooked. In this list, I’ll share five compelling reasons why screen time can be a positive influence on your child’s development. Let’s examine how technology, when used mindfully, can be a powerful tool for helping our kids thrive.
Table of Contents
1. Enhancing Communication Skills
Healthy screen time can help improve communication skills in neurodivergent kids. There are many apps and games made just for them! These tools make it fun to practice social interactions, learn new words, and build confidence.
- Goally’s learning tablet has special content: Goally’s learning tablet offers tailored content designed specifically for children with diverse needs. It provides an engaging platform where they can practice their language skills through interactive activities that cater to their individual strengths.
- Interactive games teach problem-solving: Games that encourage teamwork or require players to solve problems together are excellent ways for neurodivergent children to develop their communication abilities further. These games often involve collaboration between players or require them to communicate effectively in order to succeed.
- Visual cues on screens help understand non-verbal communication: For many neurodivergent kids, understanding non-verbal cues such as facial expressions or body language can be challenging. Screen-based activities that incorporate visual cues provide opportunities for these children to recognize emotions more easily while practicing essential social skills.
2. Boosting Cognitive Development
For many reasons screen time is good when it helps cognitive development. Digital tools offer exciting environments that challenge children’s minds, improving memory, attention span, and critical thinking abilities.
- Educational apps fit different learning styles (visual, auditory, or kinesthetic): There is a wide range of educational apps available that cater to various learning styles. Whether your child is a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner, there’s an app out there that can help them grasp new concepts more effectively.
- Puzzles promote logical reasoning: Engaging in puzzles and strategy games can be an excellent way for neurodivergent children to enhance their cognitive skills. These activities require them to think critically and apply logic in order to solve problems or complete tasks.
- Online resources give access to lots of information: The internet offers a wealth of information at our fingertips. For curious minds, this means endless opportunities for learning about different subjects and expanding their knowledge base.
Read more: Why Do Kids Act Out?
3. Encouraging Creativity
The digital world lets kids be creative! From drawing programs to music composition apps – healthy screen time allows neurodivergent children the chance to explore their artistic talents while developing essential motor skills.
- Fine motor skills & spatial awareness through drawing apps: Drawing applications offer numerous benefits for neurodivergent kids. They not only encourage creativity but also help develop fine motor skills as they practice using touchscreens or styluses with precision. Additionally, these applications improve spatial awareness by requiring children to consider the size and placement of objects within their drawings.
- Auditory processing & rhythm recognition with music apps: Music composition apps provide an engaging platform for children who have difficulty processing sounds or recognizing rhythms in traditional settings. By experimenting with different instruments and composing melodies on screen-based platforms, they can strengthen their auditory processing abilities while enjoying the creative process.
- Language development & imagination through storytelling tools: Digital storytelling tools allow neurodivergent kids to express themselves creatively, enhancing language development simultaneously. These platforms often include features such as text-to-speech capabilities or interactive story prompts that support literacy growth and spark imaginative thinking.
| App Type | Skill Developed |
|---|---|
| Drawing | Fine motor skills & spatial awareness |
| Music | Auditory processing & rhythm recognition |
| Storytelling | Language development & imagination |
4. Building Independence
For many parents of neurodivergent kids, fostering independence is a top priority. Technology can help by offering tools that teach life skills such as time management or self-care routines.
- Visual schedules: Using visual schedules on tablets can be an effective way to help children with thinking and learning differences establish daily routines. These digital aids provide clear, easy-to-understand visuals that outline the tasks and activities for each day. These tools make it simpler for kids to follow along and develop their sense of independence.
- Reminder apps track tasks and appointments: Reminder apps are invaluable tools for teaching time management skills to neurodivergent children. They allow them to set reminders for upcoming events or tasks they need to complete. This helps kids stay organized and accountable.
- Assistive technology: Various assistive technologies are available that support reading comprehension or note-taking for children who struggle in these areas. From text-to-speech applications to digital highlighters, these tools empower neurodivergent kids by providing the necessary support they need in order to succeed academically.
Read more: What Activities Make ADHD Worse?
5. Promoting Emotional Well-being
Last but not least, technology can play a crucial role in promoting emotional well-being. Apps designed to help children identify and manage their emotions can be invaluable for kids with thinking and learning differences.
- Mindfulness apps: Mindfulness applications offer guided meditation sessions or breathing exercises. These exercises are aimed at reducing stress levels while promoting relaxation among users. This includes neurodivergent children who may have difficulty managing their emotions effectively without assistance.
- Emotion recognition games: Games designed specifically around emotion recognition provide opportunities for kids with thinking and learning differences to practice identifying various emotions through facial expressions or body language. These games not only help improve social skills but also contribute to their overall emotional well-being.
- Digital journals: Digital journaling platforms offer a secure, private space for neurodivergent children to express their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or ridicule. This practice can be therapeutic and beneficial in promoting emotional well-being.
Goally | Apps That Build Behavior & Life Skills for Kids
Want to keep your child motivated while building essential behavior and life skills? Goally’s skill-building tablet is designed to celebrate small wins and help your child grow.
Our Behavior Tracker helps you reward your kiddo for specific skills, like “being kind” or “flushing the toilet.”
By setting clear expectations and rewarding their efforts, you foster a positive environment for your child to flourish in their behavioral skills journey.
In today’s world, technology is everywhere, offering exciting opportunities through screen time. From enhancing communication skills and cognitive development to fostering creativity, independence, and emotional well-being, the digital realm presents countless avenues for growth and learning. As caregivers and parents, we can wholeheartedly embrace these benefits while maintaining balance in our children’s lives. After all, when used wisely, screen time can be an empowering tool, helping our kids reach their full potential!
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FAQs about Reasons Why Screen Time is Good
How can screen time benefit children's education?
Screen time can provide access to educational apps and videos that enhance learning, offering interactive and engaging content that supports traditional education methods.
Can screen time help with social skills development?
Yes, screen time can facilitate social interaction through video chats and social media, helping children maintain connections with friends and family, especially when face-to-face interaction is limited.
How does screen time promote creativity?
Digital tools and platforms allow children to create art, music, and stories, fostering their creativity and giving them new ways to express themselves.
Is screen time beneficial for developing technical skills?
Absolutely, early exposure to technology through screen time can help children become proficient with digital tools, which are essential skills in today's tech-driven world.
Can screen time provide relaxation and stress relief?
Engaging with entertaining and age-appropriate content can offer children a way to unwind and de-stress, providing a balanced approach to their overall well-being.
This post was originally published on 04/17/2023. It was updated on 07/25/2024.
Goally
We help parents teach their kids life skills, like doing bedtime and morning independently. Backed by science, we incorporate evidence-based practices and expert-informed designs in all of our apps and content.
