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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 11 NO NEED FOR SCREENS Children born in the last three years will likely see smartphones, tablets and other screens from the day they are born. But these are not the right tools for the critical brain-building children need to do at ages 0-3. Here are some important facts to keep in mind regarding screens and young children: • There is no electronic substitute for human interaction. While many families enjoy the "Ms. Rachel" YouTube videos, just as previous generations flocked to "Baby Einstein" DVDs, research has consistently found that young children do not learn language from videos. One notable study of the "Baby Einstein" videos found that children who watched the videos (whether their parents watched it with them or not) did not learn any language from the video, but when parents were instructed to teach the same words directly to their children through in-person interactions, children did learn the words. So, while videos may be a fun way to relax and enjoy family time together, children need in-person interactions—not a digital substitute—to reach the important developmental milestones that will prepare them for school. • Screen use can alter brain structure. A 2022 study by researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital found that children whose caregivers reported higher digital media use demonstrated a reduction in the thickness of the brain's gray matter, and lower depth of the "canyons" between brain folds. These two measures have been linked to language development, reading skills and social skills such as complex memory encoding, empathy and understanding facial expressions. Sponsored Material Ask the Expert a sk t h e e x p e rt GET OUT OF THE HOUSE Young children and even infants benefit from simple errands outside of the house. Standring recommends taking young children to the grocery store and narrating the trip, naming each item as it goes into the cart. In addition, visits to libraries and local parks can provide an opportunity for children and parents to interact with each other, see new things and explore with all five senses. GET MESSY WITH FOOD There will be plenty of time later for you to insist on good table man- ners. In the first three years, children can benefit from messy eating. "Getting messy with food helps children get familiar with the textures of things, and just the experience of being messy and getting cleaned up is important for sensory development," Standring said. Make this easier on yourself by setting up mealtime with a placemat or highchair that is easily wipeable, or a plastic floor covering to prevent stains. PUT (SAFE) THINGS IN YOUR MOUTH As gross as it may seem to us, babies learn a lot about their world through their mouths. While infants' hands are still developing the coor- dination to grasp and feel, the lips and mouth are full of sensory nerves that can provide a lot of information. At 3-4 months, most babies start putting their hands in their mouths. Once they learn to grab things, expect most of those things to go in the mouth. Parents can protect by keeping items that pose a choking hazard and toxic items out of reach, but it really is important for young children to learn about their world in this way. "This is how they learn about their environment," Haskell said. EXPLORE A CABINET While any cabinet or drawer that contains medications, weapons or objects that could cause a child harm should be locked at all times, parents should consider having a cabinet or shelf in the home that con- tains safe items that a child can freely explore. Pots, pans, bowls, cups, spoons—everyday objects are wonderful items for a child to find and take out of a cabinet. And while you may see clutter creation, know that the process of emptying that cabinet or drawer is helping your child develop important physical and cognitive skills, such as how objects fit inside of each other, how to find a partially hidden object, or how to reach out and grab an object. This is something to encourage and play along with. REACH OUT TO US PE-ID is a resource for parents of children ages 0 to 3 in Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, Stafford counties and the city of Fredericksburg. Visit rappahannockareacsb.org/early-intervention/ to learn more and see a list of developmental milestones that can help you determine if your child may be experiencing a delay. Call 540- 372-3561with questions about our services.