Today many homes are awash with screens, from phones and tablets to laptops, computers and TVs. And while these can open a world of information and entertainment to our little ones as they grow, it’s not all wholesome. And screens can all too easily displace real-time interactions with the world around them and with you, affecting their development and relationships.
As parents we need to make sure children’s screen time is sensibly selected, monitored and managed, and to keep it in balance.
1. Don’t start too young
In our rush to give kids a head start in life, it’s tempting to introduce them to apps and games as soon as they can hold a phone, especially when these are packaged as educational – and to use them to distract or nanny kids when we need time for our own chores. But the bulk of a baby’s brain development is in the first three years, and they learn best through all five of their senses: not just sight and sound, but touch, taste and smell.
Before 18 months, babies should have no screen time at all, says the American Academy of Paediatrics. The only exception is to Skype or video-chat with grandparents or other close family, which is viewed as interacting and building relationships. By age 2 or 3, children can be introduced to screen time.
2. Limit the time
“Research is saying that at 5 years and younger, amount of screen time negatively correlates with behavioural and emotional problems,” says Jenny Perkel, a clinical psychologist and parental guidance specialist in Cape Town (www.childreninmind.co.za).
“Half an hour a day is fine. Above that, it starts to show a correlation with psychological problems. It might be that ‘difficult’ children are put in front of screens because caregivers find it helps to soothe them. This is no judgment on parents, just something to think about.”
3. Select quality content
Playing interactive shape or colour games on a laptop or tablet, or watching a quality educational programme like Sesame Street is different to leaving your child in front of the TV, even if it’s tuned to a children’s channel.
Always research games, apps or movies online before buying them: some that claim to be educational are not. And take note of the adverts shown between TV programmes, which can promote values, products or fast foods unsuitable for your child.
4. Watch with them
That way you can interact and chat about what they see, enforcing what they learn and putting it in context Little ones learn to speak and to socialise by interacting with you, not by passively watching, says Perkel.
From the start, don’t allow screens in their room – restrict these to communal areas so you can supervise their use. Additionally, the blue light of screens at night can interfere with their production of the hormone melatonin, interfering with sleep, when vital brain development takes place.
5. Focus on non-screen time
Little ones need unstructured play time to explore their surroundings, everyday objects, books and toys, and indulge in imaginative play, developing dexterity and creativity. And once they become mobile, they need to run and climb, to develop physically and keep obesity at bay – a creeping problem in the digital age, Perkel says.
6. Opt for print books, not just e-books
E-books can offer wonderful interaction (“choose your own adventure”), sounds, animation, instant access a bigger universe, and are great when travelling. But reading print books is a tactile experience and encourages interaction with you, letting you chat and relate what they read to their own life.
7. Don’t leave TV or other screens running in the background
Several studies have suggested that parents and children are less likely to interact, and more likely to be distracted or absorbed by monitoring the screens.
8. Don’t worry that your little one will miss out
If you don’t allow them screen time at first, or limit it, they won’t fall behind, says Perkel – screen devices are so simple to use, they’ll quickly catch up when they start.
IMAGE CREDIT: Getty Images