Title:
IPADS/Tablets and their effect on social
development in young children.
Author:
60878223
Document type: Research proposal
Date: 24/04/2017
, MR W Kingsley
Director of Human resources
Education board of South Africa
24/04/2017
Dear Sir
This letter is to follow up our meeting last week. I informed you of a problem our children seem to
be facing, and you requested I put together a formal proposal to study the problem.
I have been a school psychologist for over twenty years at a pre-school level. Over the years, with
the development of technology, I have noticed changes in the students who admit to owning an
ipad/tablet. I have found that the students who admit to having access to an ipad are less likely to
play outside, use less imagination in real play, and are less able to self soothe when upset by a
situation.
It is clear that we need to further investigate the effect these devices have on children’s social
development, especially with the upcoming integration of ipads into the classroom. We need to
know if this will hinder the children’s development or whether it is an advantage to their learning.
Research over the past few decades has highlighted the importance of social and emotional
competence in preschool children on later academic, social, and psychological outcomes. Children
who are socially and emotionally competent have increased socialization opportunities with peers,
develop more friends, have better relationships with their parents and teachers, and enjoy more
academic and social successes. Children who lack social and emotional competence are at risk for
reduced socialization opportunities, rejection, withdrawal, behavioral disturbance, and achievement
problems. (McCabe and Altamura, 2011)
McCabe and Altamura have outlined why this study is so important, and why we need to focus on
the development of children’s social well-being.
I submit this proposal to you as we need ethical approval and we also require financial support in
order to conduct the study.
I hope that this proposal will help you understand the importance of this study and therefore lead to
your support.
Kind regards
DR N Lawrence (BA HON)
School psychologist
Pridwin junior School
IPADS/Tablets and their effect on social
development in young children.
Author:
60878223
Document type: Research proposal
Date: 24/04/2017
, MR W Kingsley
Director of Human resources
Education board of South Africa
24/04/2017
Dear Sir
This letter is to follow up our meeting last week. I informed you of a problem our children seem to
be facing, and you requested I put together a formal proposal to study the problem.
I have been a school psychologist for over twenty years at a pre-school level. Over the years, with
the development of technology, I have noticed changes in the students who admit to owning an
ipad/tablet. I have found that the students who admit to having access to an ipad are less likely to
play outside, use less imagination in real play, and are less able to self soothe when upset by a
situation.
It is clear that we need to further investigate the effect these devices have on children’s social
development, especially with the upcoming integration of ipads into the classroom. We need to
know if this will hinder the children’s development or whether it is an advantage to their learning.
Research over the past few decades has highlighted the importance of social and emotional
competence in preschool children on later academic, social, and psychological outcomes. Children
who are socially and emotionally competent have increased socialization opportunities with peers,
develop more friends, have better relationships with their parents and teachers, and enjoy more
academic and social successes. Children who lack social and emotional competence are at risk for
reduced socialization opportunities, rejection, withdrawal, behavioral disturbance, and achievement
problems. (McCabe and Altamura, 2011)
McCabe and Altamura have outlined why this study is so important, and why we need to focus on
the development of children’s social well-being.
I submit this proposal to you as we need ethical approval and we also require financial support in
order to conduct the study.
I hope that this proposal will help you understand the importance of this study and therefore lead to
your support.
Kind regards
DR N Lawrence (BA HON)
School psychologist
Pridwin junior School
