Wednesday, April 9 | 4:30-6 p.m.
Steitz 102
Lawrence will welcome psychology guest speaker Professor Heather Kirkorian, Laura M. Second Chair in Early Childhood Development & Department Chair and Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at UW-Madison.
Prof. Kirkorian’s talk will synthesize research on digital media and early child development. She will share research highlights regarding early cognitive development and screen time, including when young children do (and do not) learn from digital media. She will also examine the larger family media ecology using the Dynamic, Relational, and Ecological Approach to Media Effects Research (DREAMER) framework. The DREAMER framework emphasizes the regulatory and relational processes that shape how young children and families use and respond to media, balancing the needs of different family members. Prof. Kirkorian will use examples from her own and others’ research to illustrate how different types of media use predict different short- and long-term outcomes. Prof. Kirkorian will conclude with examples of how to translate these research findings into practical advice to support digital well-being for families with young children.