Vpliv tehnologije na igro predšolskih otrok : diplomsko delo

Ličer, Elizabeta (author), Gričar, Nevenka (mentor), Oven, Alenka (reviewer)

Uvod: Digitalna tehnologija je danes nepogrešljiv del našega življenja. Mobilni telefoni, tablice in druge digitalne naprave so pogosto prisotne že v zgodnjem otroštvu. To odpira pomembna vprašanja o povezanosti uporabe zaslonov in igre, ki je temeljna razvojna okupacija v zgodnjem otroštvu. Zelo pomembna v razvoju otroka je senzorno bogata igra, ki zahteva telesno dejavnost in uporabo različnih čutil. Namen: Namen raziskave je bil preučiti, ali obstaja povezava med uporabo digitalnih naprav in pogostostjo vključevanja otrok v senzorno bogate dejavnosti. Poleg tega nas je zanimalo, ali pogostost uporabe zaslonov vpliva na določene vidike otrokovega vedenja, kot so težave pri prehodih med aktivnostmi in težave pri čakanju na vrsto. Metode dela: Uporabljena je bila kvantitativna raziskovalna metoda. Podatki so bili zbrani s pomočjo spletnega vprašalnika, ki ga je izpolnilo 169 staršev otrok, starih od dve do šest let. Podatki so bili analizirani z uporabo deskriptivne statistike, preverjanja normalne porazdelitve ter ustreznih testov (neodvisni t-test, Mann–Whitneyjev test). Naredili smo primerjavo med otroki, ki digitalne naprave uporabljajo znotraj priporočenih smernic Svetovne zdravstvene organizacije, in tistimi, ki jih presegajo. Rezultati: Rezultati so pokazali, da večina otrok še vedno vsakodnevno sodeluje v senzorno bogatih aktivnostih. V povezavi med uporabo zaslonov in udeležbo v senzorno bogatih aktivnostih se je pri treh postavkah pojavila statistično značilna razlika. Raziskava ni potrdila povezave med povečanim časom uporabe tehnologije in težavami pri prehodih med aktivnostmi ali čakanjem v vrsti. Povprečna dnevna izpostavljenost otrok zaslonom je bila med 30 in 60 minut, kar je skladno s priporočili Svetovne zdravstvene organizacije. Razprava in zaključek: Ugotovitve nakazujejo, da digitalna tehnologija še ni popolnoma izrinila proste igre iz življenja otrok. Vloga staršev je pomembna pri oblikovanju uravnoteženih dnevnih rutin. Delovni terapevti lahko na podlagi teh ugotovitev usmerjajo starše k spodbujanju senzorno bogate igre in svetujejo pri uravnoteženju uporabe zaslonov. Nadaljnje raziskave bi bile smiselne z večjim vzorcem in dodatnimi kvalitativnimi metodami.

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: diplomska dela, delovna terapija, zasloni, zgodnje otroštvo, senzorno bogate aktivnosti, mediji
• Work type: Bachelor thesis/paper
• Typology: 2.11 - Undergraduate Thesis
• Organization: ZF - Faculty of Health Sciences
• Place of publishing: Ljubljana
• Publisher: [E. Ličer]
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 33 str., [6] str. pril.
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-173753
• UDC: 615.851
• COBISS.SI-ID: 249775107
• Publication date in RUL: 21.09.2025

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: The impact of technology on preschool children's play : diploma work

Abstract

Introduction: Digital technology has become an integral part of everyday life. Mobile phones, tablets, and other digital devices are often introduced in early childhood, raising important questions about the relationship between screen use and play, which is considered a primary developmental occupation in early childhood. Sensory-rich play, which requires physical activity and the engagement of multiple senses, is particularly important for children’s development. Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine whether there is a connection between the use of digital devices and the frequency of children’s participation in sensory-rich activities. In addition, the study explored whether the frequency of screen use influences certain aspects of children’s behavior, such as difficulties in transitioning between activities and waiting their turn. Methods: A quantitative research design was used. Data were collected through an online questionnaire completed by 169 parents of children aged two to six years. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, normality testing, and appropriate statistical tests (independent t-test, Mann–Whitney test). A comparison was made between children who used digital devices within the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations and those who exceeded them. Results: The results showed that most children still engage daily in sensory-rich activities. Statistically significant differences were found in three items when examining the relationship between screen use and participation in sensory-rich activities. However, the study did not confirm a link between increased screen time and difficulties with activity transitions or waiting in line. The average daily screen exposure was between 30 and 60 minutes, which aligns with WHO recommendations. Discussion and Conclusion: The findings suggest that digital technology has not yet fully replaced free play in children’s lives. Parents play a crucial role in shaping balanced daily routines. Based on these results, occupational therapists can guide parents in encouraging sensory-rich play and provide advice on balancing screen use. Further research with a larger sample size and additional qualitative methods would be valuable.

• Keywords: diploma theses, occupational therapy, displays, early childhood, sensory-rich activities, media