Books encouraged for TV tots

Looking at pictures in a book while a teacher read the text helped the children establish connections between the two. Photo / Thinkstock

The majority of Kiwi 2-year-olds are watching TV every day, a new report suggests, but a Rotorua early childhood teacher says books still have their place.

A report on 2-year-olds has recently been released from Auckland University's government-funded Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study, which is tracking the early lives of almost 7000 Auckland and Waikato children.

It showed about 80 per cent of 2-year-olds were watching TV or DVDs every day, while 66 per cent had books read to them every day.

According to the report, many 2-year-olds could use technology with ease, and the majority were spending an average of 90 minutes each day watching television.

The Ole Schoolhouse childcare centre owner Julie Hollis said books were vitally important for children's cognitive development, and listening skills.

Looking at pictures in a book while a teacher read the text helped the children establish connections between the two.

"Then slowly by the time they're 5 they're learning the ABCs."

Although some children's speech development was slow, they would nod their head in understanding as a teacher read.

The centre kept strong ties with families so parents were aware of which books their child was reading.

She said research showed children were more likely to achieve in school if they had been familiarised with books at an early age.

"That's what we're trying to do - get children interested in books. We encourage them to take books home and we take them to the library."

More than half of Kiwi 2-year-olds were in regular early childhood education, primarily because of their parents' work commitments but also because parents hoped early education had a positive impact on the social and language development of their children.

A further key finding was the high level of mobility in Kiwi families, with about one-third having moved house since their child was 9 months old.

About 55 per cent lived in family-owned accommodation, and about 45 per cent in rented accommodation.

Study director associate professor Susan Morton said the high mobility, diversity of environment, and the changing circumstances of families presented a challenge as to how health, education and social services were best delivered to children in their earliest years.