WASHINGTON (7News) — Parents, you may have heard about this: there’s been some controversy over CoComelon.
If you have a toddler, then you’re familiar with the fast-paced cartoon show that features a lot of singing. Some parents blame the show for speech delays and behavioral issues. Others say it’s harmless background noise.
7News’ Adrianna Hopkins asked a pediatric psychologist whether it's good or bad.
Dr. Melissa Dvorsky, a psychologist with Children’s National Hospital, says the research is mixed, but ultimately it’s not a Cocomelon-specific issue. It’s screen time in general, and fast-paced sequences in particular. She says too much of that type of programming can interfere with the development of executive functions. That’s kids’ ability to self-regulate and control their emotions.
“There’s been some studies that have shown that when children watch shows like that, like CoComelon before age 2 when they look at their executive functions later at age 9, they notice that those kids have difficulty with executive functions. However, we don’t really know that that’s causing that yet,” said Dvorsky.
Dvorsky referenced the American Academy of Pediatric’s screen time guidelines which are no screen time for kids until 2 years old; and from the ages of 2-5, it’s an hour or less of screen time per day.
“Ages 3 to 5 are critical for children to develop their executive functions. The expectation is that by the time they start kindergarten, they can self-regulate,” said Dvorsky. “Developing language skills, having interactions with adults, and creative play, all help in growing those executive functions. When they spend too much time in front of the television and not engaging in creative play, it limits the opportunities they have for interactive play.”
Some might question how CoComelon differs from Sesame Street – both are children’s programs.
Dvorsky explains with cartoons it’s about “how stimulating it is on the brain because you’re processing so much information at once. Versus a person that standing on a set, you might be paying more attention to the message and facial expressions.”
