Screen Sense: Screen Use Tips for Parents
Screen Sense: Screen use tips for parents
MYTH: All Screen Time is detrimental to early learning.
Although children learn best through hands-on exploration, the reality is that most young children are exposed to screen media at a very young age and can learn from these experiences. What is most important is that:
(1) content is age-appropriate,
(2) viewing time is limited, and
(3) parents are involved and help children make the connection between what they see
on the screen and the real world.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using the following guidelines for children’s use of screen media
0-18 months
Avoid all screen media—phones, tablets, TVs, and computers. It’s fine to video chat with parents, grandparents, and far-away friends.
2-5 Years
Limit screen time use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programs. Parents should co-view media with children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.
6 Years and Older
Place consistent limits on the time spent using media and the types of media and make sure media does not take the place of adequate sleep, physical activity and other behaviors essential to health.
NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS
Sleep: linked to irregular sleep patterns & shorter, low-quality sleep cycles
Behavior: increase in hyperactivity, conduct difficulties, impulse control, self-regulation, and controlling emotions
Language: linked to delayed language acquisition leading to academic difficulties later in life
Obesity: in kindergarten, more than one hour of screen time per day yields a 52% increase in obesity
Motor: use of touchscreen hinders the development of grasping, handwriting, scissors, gluing, tying shoelaces, and painting
“Most apps advertised as “educational” aren’t proven to be effective and...help young children learn. Also, most educational apps target rote skills, such as ABCs and shapes. These skills are only one part of school readiness. The skills young children need to learn for success in school (and life) such as impulse control, managing emotions, and creative flexible thinking, are best learned through unstructured and social play with family and friends in the real word.” –the American Academy of Pediatrics
TRADITIONAL (NON-SCREEN) PLAY
Play: An essential strategy for learning
Research over the past 30 years has taught us that the most important period of human development is from birth to eight years old. During these years, the development of cognitive skills, emotional well-being, social competence and sound physical and mental health builds a strong foundation for success well into the adult years.
3-5 Years: Children’s language, social-emotional and cognitive skills are rapidly expanding. During this period, the stimulation and learning that come from play, reading, singing and interacting with peers and caring adults at home and in quality early education settings are essential. Play in the preschool years enables children to explore and make sense of the world around them, as well as to use and develop their imagination and creativity.
Early grades of primary school: Learning through play is not only for pre-schoolers. In the primary grades, play opportunities enhance children’s mastery of academic concepts and build motivation to learn. In fact, two of the most important things that play can develop are interest and motivation. Encouraging these in the early grades brings children on board in contributing to their own learning. For example, playing board games can strengthen math concepts while building social competence. Book clubs, dramatizing stories, and other reading games, make it much more likely for struggling readers to move ahead and not give up.
PLAY…..
· Sparks curiosity and creativity
· Helps children gather a better understanding of the world around them
· Helps to develop social skills
· Fosters self-esteem
· Allows for children the opportunity to practice new skills
· Play experiences provide learning opportunities
· Enhances problem-solving skills
· Improves concentration and focus
· Helps children learn how to deal with frustration
Learning through play: Examples-- Children at play learn how to:
–Make a plan and follow through [“I want to draw my family. Who will I put in my picture?”]
–Learn from trial and error, using imagination and problem-solving skills [“My tall tower fell down! Maybe my friend can help build it up again.”]
–Apply concepts of quantity, science, and movement to real-life [“I like these big seeds. How many will I need to cover this part of my picture?”]
–Reason in a logical, analytical manner by acting on objects [“There are still some pieces missing in this puzzle. Which ones might fit?”]
–Communicate with classmates and negotiate differences in points of view [“I want to be the mother. Could you be the baby? Or maybe the grandmother?”]
–Derive satisfaction from their own accomplishments [“We did it together!”]
–Develop creativity and explore aesthetics and artistry [“I wonder what will happen if I mix these colors together?]