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In her new book, Remote-Controlled Childhood: Teaching Young Children in the Media Age, Diane Levin provides these introductory comments:

"The environment in which many young children are growing up today is saturated with screen media such as television programs, movies, apps, video and computer games, and Internet websites.  Children have a rapidly expanding number of ways to access this screen media — including through televisions, computers, and handheld devices such as tablets, smartphones, and video game consoles.  In addition, children are exposed to numerous toys and products that are linked to what they see on screens.  This media-saturated environment touches most aspects of children's lives and is a central part of the foundation they are building to understand their world, how it works, how they fit into it, and how they can influence it.  Often it affects how they behave and treat one another.  It even shapes how they learn, what they want to learn — and much more....

"Not all media exposure and technology use is inherently negative or passive.  There can be situations where children use technology to write, create, learn, and share information.  Video-chatting with a grandparent who lives far away can be a meaningful way to keep in touch.  In addition, not all children are exposed to the same types and amounts of screen use.  Nevertheless, the ever-growing influence of media exposure and technology use means that adults should be knowledgeable about and pay close attention to children's screen-related activities.  What children are experiencing and learning through media can be a cause for concern... about how the influence of media and technology on children surfaces at school and home, affecting children's thinking, behavior, interests, and relationships."

Diane Levin will be giving a featured presentation, "Beyond Remote-Controlled Childhoods" at 2013 NAEYC National Convention.

Beyond Remote-Controlled Childhood Teaching Young Children in the Media Age Teachers need to understand how screen time and media culture are affecting children and families and find effective ways to promote children's healthy development in today's media-saturated environment. This book will help you: Adapt classroom practice to take into account the realities of remote-controlled childhood—the experiences of today’s connected children. Counteract the potentially harmful impact media can have on both the process and content of children's development and learning. Help children and their families make informed decisions about screen time and media in children's lives. Work with families to address the impact of screen media. Enter code "remote" when prompted.

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