2
Role imitation plays in cognitive development in children
Discuss the impact of imitation on cognitive development in toddlers.
Imitation has a significant impact on cognitive development in toddlers. However, many
studies have tried to show that imitation may have a great important function in the
development of toddlers' skills, such as social skills and language development (Rogers &
Williams,2006). At least three aspects of imitation are relevant to the development of
language speaking. First, imitation can be in the form of social learning; this form involves
learning from others, listening to others, and observing what others are doing (Rogers &
Williams,2006). This implies that the children can learn the meaning of different spoken
words by observing how other people use them. The second aspect of imitation is based on
reinforcement and social experience that involves acquiring responses from novels (Rogers &
Williams,2006). Lastly, according to Rogers & Williams (2006), the third imitation provides
clear evidence that the child can form a representation of the actions they usually observe
internally and use their actions to reproduce these particular representations.
What stands out to you in this study regarding imitation and video-based learning?
According to Strouse & Troseth (2008 the study examined whether toddlers can learn
new skills from watching people on videos on their Tv screens. The findings from this study
show that toddlers can imitate new skills from the people they watch on video screens. The
study stands out for its finding regarding video-based learning and imitation. Strouse &
Troseth (2008) state that videos show children's behaviours, such as social cues, including
pointing and facial expression, with soundtracks that enable further verisimilitude.
Additionally, videos can be one of the most iconic symbolic media. They maintain the
relative position, shape and colour of the depicted objects and also allow the precise depiction
of various events and represent motion.
3
How does this study impact your views on children under 5 and screen time (phones,
tablets, TV)?
This study significantly impacts how we view screen time and children under 5. From the
findings, through the people on videos, toddlers can learn new skills even if they have never
seen them before in their lifetime (Strouse & Troseth, 2008). These findings suggest that
screen time can be used as a teaching tool as long as the available material is appropriate for
the development level and age.
What is essential for parents to keep in mind regarding imitation and screen habits?
Parents or guardians should always bear in their mind that toddlers can learn from
watching people performing on videos on television screens and in media. However, they
should be mindful or be concerned with what their children are watching and ensure that it is
in line with their development level and appropriate for their age. Additionally, parents
should limit the time the children spend on the screens watching because much screen time
can affect social, cognitive and physical development, which can lead to poor performance in
classes (Stiglic & Viner, 2019).
How does faith speak to this issue?
Faith can speak to this issue regarding screen habits or times through the quotation of
the verse from the book of Proverbs chapter 22, verse 6, which states that” train your child on
the way they shall follow or they should go, and even when they will be old, they will not
turn from it." (New International Version, n.d.). This quote from the bible encourages parents
to train their children in the good ways and directions they should follow, and even when they
get old, they will not forget these ways. If the children adhere to this verse and follow the
right direction, they will always make a good decisions in life. This aspect can be applied to
5
References
New International Version (n.d.). Bible Gateway. Retrieved from
https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-
Rogers, S. J., & Williams, J. H. (Eds.). (2006). Imitation and the social mind: Autism and
typical development. Guilford Press.
Stiglic, N., & Viner, R. M. (2019). Effects of screentime on the health and well-being of
children and adolescents: a systematic review of reviews. BMJ open, 9(1), e023191.
Strouse, G. A., & Troseth, G. L. (2008). ‘‘Don’t try this at home”: Toddlers’ imitation of new
skills from people on video. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 101(2008), 262–
280. doi: 10.1016/j.jecp.2008.05.010
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
