The Benefits of Virtual Story Time
Preston Hadden Preston Hadden

The Benefits of Virtual Story Time

Watching YouTube channels that read popular books can be a powerful tool in your child’s learning journey. From improving language skills to building emotional connections, these videos offer far more than just entertainment. By actively engaging with your child during virtual storytime and incorporating follow-up activities, you can turn screen time into meaningful, enriching moments.

For neurodivergent kids and gestalt language learners, these videos provide additional opportunities to process language, practice communication, and engage in a structured yet flexible learning environment.

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Music That Inspires: How Artists Are Helping Kids Grow Through Songs
Preston Hadden Preston Hadden

Music That Inspires: How Artists Are Helping Kids Grow Through Songs

Music is more than just a background soundtrack to playtime. It’s a powerful tool for social-emotional regulation and language development. Singing along to songs helps kids expand their vocabulary, practice speech sounds, and even grasp grammatical structures. Rhymes and melodies stick in the brain like glue, making music an effective way to teach everything from ABCs to empathy.

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The Quality of Screen Time: A Guide for Parents

The Quality of Screen Time: A Guide for Parents

However, passive consumption—such as endless hours of unmonitored videos or repetitive games with little educational value—offers fewer benefits and can even pose risks. Studies suggest that excessive passive screen use is linked to behavioral concerns, attention issues, and delays in social and language skills in younger kids. In teens, unmonitored social media use has been associated with increased anxiety, depression, and negative body image.

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Debunked Autism and Language Delay Treatments

Debunked Autism and Language Delay Treatments

Parenting is a journey filled with tough decisions, and it’s okay to feel unsure or even frustrated along the way. By leaning into science, consulting trusted professionals, and keeping your child’s well-being at the center, you can make informed choices that truly help them thrive. If you ever feel pressured by bold claims or “miracle cures,” take a step back and ask: Is this backed by evidence? Does it respect my child’s dignity and individuality?

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5 YouTube Channels That Encourage Language and Play: Why Co-Viewing Matters

5 YouTube Channels That Encourage Language and Play: Why Co-Viewing Matters

Co-viewing turns passive screen time into an interactive learning experience. Here’s why it’s essential:

  1. Reinforces Language: When you watch together, you can repeat key phrases, ask questions, and build on what your child hears.

  2. Encourages Engagement: By pausing to talk or act out parts of the video, you keep your child actively involved rather than zoning out.

  3. Transitions to Real-Life Play: Watching together allows you to guide your child from screen-based activities to hands-on play inspired by the content.

For example, after co-viewing a video about a pretend bakery, you might help your child set up their own “bakery” using play dough and toy utensils.

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Overstimulation in Kids' Shows: Understanding the Impact of Frequent Scene Changes and What to Watch Instead
Preston Hadden Preston Hadden

Overstimulation in Kids' Shows: Understanding the Impact of Frequent Scene Changes and What to Watch Instead

The article discusses the potential negative impact of frequent scene changes in kids' shows, especially for children with sensory processing issues. Although there is no conclusive evidence that such shows can cause ADHD, slower-paced, more realistic shows are recommended for promoting cognitive and emotional development. The article also provides a list of recommended shows that are engaging, educational, and easy to follow.

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