Screen Time
Coco melon, Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, The Kibboomers! The list of children’s programmes is just as endless as the amount of screen time our little ones seem to be getting this lockdown. 🖥
Over the years, technology has become the baby sitter in our homes. It provides us with a moments relief to complete tasks we normally cannot get done with a nagging toddler at our legs. With EDC’s closed and more parents working from home, the rise in screen time is undeniable.
According to research, children under the age of 2 should not have any sedentary screen time. There is evidence that screen viewing before 18 months has negative effects on language development, reading and short term memory. For children 2 years and older, screening should be capped at 1 hr daily- keeping in mind that less is more.
How do you manage screen time without it ending in a tussle with your toddler?
1.) Develop a routine- allow your little screen time in increments at set times throughout the day at a specific area in your home. Be consistent with this and they will quickly learn screen time discipline
2.) Help your little one transition from screen time to another task. In our Q&A, one of our mums shared how she often has another activity prepared after screen time. This a great way of getting your child to transition from the screen to play time and encourages one-on-one play with you, the caregiver.
3.) Use a visual schedule for their routine as this also assist with transition. Visual schedules are static meaning they remain present even after words have been spoken. They are great as they show our toddlers, who are concrete thinkers, about what is coming next in the day.
4.) Encourage independent play. Have a basket filled with their favourite toys to substitute screen time and let your child explore independently. Start by allowing them to play with you in the room and slowly grade it that they’re eventually able to play in your absence. You might have to get them started before backing away
Changing current behaviors doesn’t come without protest, but over time it will get easier. If our parents & grandparents could raise us in a pre-tech environment, surely we can do it!
