A study released by PBS KIDS on Tuesday has found that media and technology are an essential part of preparing children to enter elementary school. From TV, computer games, websites and apps, all are vital to preparing children to enter elementary school:
- 89% of parents understand the educational benefits of exposing their children to media and technology
- TV shows are the #1 resource parents use to develop children’s social and emotional skills – the skills parents rate as the most important for kids to master before kindergarten
- 75% of parents use computer games/activities, web sites and/or apps to get their child ready for kindergarten
PBS polled parents with young children age 2-6 across the country, and found that in addition to academic skills like math and reading, “parents recognize that a broader skill set is needed for early learning success today.” The survey also found that American families are struggling to prepare their children for kindergarten, and five out of 10 parents worry their child won’t have the skills they need when they start elementary school.
Learn all the results of the study at PBS.