How much is Too much?
How Much, Is Too Much?
By no means are we shaming parents for using screen time, we as educators often ask ourselves, is screen time okay? & How much, is too much?
In our setting, we do not support the children watching devices. WHY? Because that is not why you came us, you didn't sign up for Bluey to baby sit your child or for PJ Masks to support your babies learning and development.
Searching the internet can be daunting, there is SO much information, SO much advice!
But what does this actually mean?
Babies brains are still developing when they are born and the majority of this takes place before the age of two. This is why babies need to be nurtured and stimulated, in order to develop and grow, with exposure to allow them to explore the senses of sounds, sights, tastes, smells and textures. A small baby learns directly from interaction with others, to support their understanding of the world around them, helping them feel secure and safe.
This is why most 'experts' suggest a limit on screen time, but the world has rapidly changed, with the existence of televisions, tablets, computers, smartphones and watches.
The advice we have seen whilst researching this topic, again and again, is that children under 18 months should not be exposed to screens at all, but how realistic is this for parents and carers.
Surely educating ourselves on what can be healthier screen time is better?
The CONS of screen time.
Excessive screen time can damage your little ones cognitive development - affecting their language and thoughts, we once met a child who spoke solely in an American accent, she had never been to America, but her favourite ‘YouTuber’ was American.
It is suggested that as little as 15 minutes screen time can affect sleep patterns and brain development.
Childhood obesity - That's right according to studies, toddlers with high screen time have higher BMI's, due to sitting on devices, rather than being active.
Blue light! - Now we have all heard about the blue lights, this pesky light blocks the natural melatonin production in the brain, especially at night time.
The addiction - Oh the tantrums - when you try to take away your mobile phone, to reply to a message or answer a call! Your happy, engaged toddler turns possessive and overwhelmed with the loss of their precious screen.
Now we live in a world in which screen time is inevitable and sometimes necessary.
So what do we do then?
Televisions are better for your little ones than phones or tablets.
They aren't portable and you wont have to 'take it away' at the end of the programme. You simply turn it off.
The best thing about children's TV shows is they are around 20 minutes long, so an maximum of an hours screen time can be spread throughout the day, for those moments you really need them!
Content Matters
What your little one watches is important, it needs to be quality programming and really should have some educational value.
Unsupervised access to YouTube should be avoided at all costs, there are some traumatic shows aimed at children, intended to cause upset.
Screen time can be a learning opportunity if you are present, an episode of Peppa Pig is not our idea of fun either, but it is a great chance for talking and communication, for clarifying thoughts and ideas, in something your child is highly engaged in. Not only in the moment but later in the day!
No matter what your routine is, if you have screen time or you advocate for a screen free childhood, remember balance is key!
