BookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxFilledCheckBoxCircleBumpCheckedFilledMedical

Child’s Temperament May Drive How Much TV They Watch, Study Says

According to the researchers, behavior and nature is more likely explanations than early TV exposures.
save article
profile picture of Nehal Aggarwal
By Nehal Aggarwal, Editor
Published August 7, 2020
baby sitting in mom's lap and watching tv
Image: Getty Images

As the ongoing pandemic has forced millions of families inside, young kids are spending more time in front of screens than ever before. Of course, not all screen time is created equal, but experts still caution against the rising trend. Now, one study is saying that how much time children spend in front of screens, specifically, television, may depend on their temperament.

The study, conducted by University of East Anglia (UEA) and Birkbeck, University of London, looked at the brain responses of 48 10-month-old babies using electroencephalography (EEG) while they watched a 40-second clip from Disney’s Fantasia on repeat. The research team found they could predict whether or not the baby would enjoy watching fast-paced TV six months down the road. According to the researchers, this could help the ongoing debate around early TV exposure for babies.

"The sensory environment surrounding babies and young children is really complex and cluttered, but the ability to pay attention to something is one of the first developmental milestones in babies,” Dr Teodora Gliga, from UEA’s School of Psychology and lead researcher on the study, stated in a press release. “Even before they can ask questions, children vary greatly in how driven they are to explore their surroundings and engage with new sights or sounds.”

In the study, the researchers wanted to find out why babies appear to be so different in how they seek out new visual sensory stimulation (i.e. being attracted to shiny objects, bright colours or moving images on TV). There have been several theories to explain the differences, Gliga continues, including infants who are less sensitive will seek less stimulation and some babies may just process information and seek out new stimulation more often. However, the researchers wanted to test a third theory by showing babies who prefer newness may seek more varied stimulation.

To do this, the researchers looked at how the babies’ brain waves responded to the random interruptions to the clip. These were in the form of a black and white checkerboard that would suddenly flash on screen. Specifically, they looked to see how quickly the babies switched their attention from the repeating video to the checkerboard.

The researchers then asked parents and caregivers to fill out a questionnaire about their child’s sensory habits, including whether they enjoyed watching fast-paced and brightly-coloured TV shows. They followed up with a second, similar questionnaire six months later.

"As the babies watched the repeated video clip, EEG responses told us that they learned its content. We expected that, as the video became less novel and therefore engaged their attention less, they would start noticing the checkerboard,” Gliga said. “But some of the babies started responding to the checkerboard earlier on while still learning about the video, suggesting that these children had had enough of the old information. Conversely, others remained engaged with the video even when there was not much to learn from it.”

The researchers believe their work in being able to predict the babies’ television habits suggests that children’s television exposure is driven by their own nature, rather than early TV exposure.

“It is unlikely that our findings are explained by early TV exposure since parents reported that only a small proportion of 10-month-olds were watching TV shows,” Gliga said.

Next, the research team aims to look specifically at what drives these individual differences when it comes to paying attention to “novelty,” including the role early environments for babies may play in this.

"Exploration and discovery are essential for children’s learning and cognitive development. Yet, different children may benefit from different environments for their learning,” Elena Serena Piccardi, from Birkbeck, University of London, also said in the press release. As such, this research will help us understand how individualized environments may nurture children’s learning, promote their cognitive development and, ultimately, support achievement of their full potential.”

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

save article
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

toddler girl choosing clothes from closet
This Viral Bedtime Routine Helps Prevent Morning Wardrobe Meltdowns
By Wyndi Kappes
mother and toddler daughter sitting on the couch reading a book together at home
How to Tell if Your Toddler Is Smart
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
father talking to toddler daughter while playing at home
Early Childhood Parenting Style Could Influence ADHD Severity in Kids
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
toddler painting on bathroom door
Toddler Discipline: Why Toddlers Act Out—and What You Can Do About It
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
7 Weird Toddler Behaviors That Are Actually Normal
7 Weird Toddler Behaviors That Are Actually Normal
By Jenna McCarthy
baby sucking thumb while sitting in stroller outside
Why Babies Suck Their Thumbs—and When to Curb the Habit
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
toddler girl knocking behind glass back door
How to Deal With Your Child’s Separation Anxiety
By Rachel Morris
ADVERTISEMENT
father holding baby's hands while walking
These Are the 13 Best States for Babies to Get a Strong Start
By Wyndi Kappes
toddler sitting on couch and having a temper tantrum
Toddler Tantrums: Why They Happen and How to Cope
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
close up of baby's eyes
Signs of an Overstimulated Baby (and How to Calm Their System)
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
toddlers playing side by side
The Different Stages of Play and How They Help Kids Learn
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
millennial mother talking to toddler at home
73 Percent of Millennial Moms Share This Parenting Style
By Wyndi Kappes
baby playing alone with toys on the floor
Why Is Solitary Play Important for Babies and Toddlers?
By Lisa Milbrand
ADVERTISEMENT
toddler touching head in pain
Is Head Banging in Babies and Toddlers Normal?
By Cindy Hovington, PhD
baby lying on pink blanket with tongue out
Pediatrician Goes Viral After Sharing These "Secret" Baby Milestones
By Wyndi Kappes
toddler hugging smiling mom
10 Ways Toddlers Say ‘I Love You’—Without Actually Saying ‘I Love You’
By Lauren Barth
baby with two smiling moms reaching for pet dog
5 Research-Backed Ways Dogs Can Benefit Baby
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
entrance of chuck e cheese's
Chuck E. Cheese Snubs Black Child in Latest Incident of Mascot Racism
By Wyndi Kappes
three proud and confident children smiling outside
How to Raise a Confident Kid
By Nehal Aggarwal
Praise From Parents May Improve a Child’s Persistence, Study Says
Praise From Parents May Improve a Child’s Persistence, Study Says
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.