Kids & Technology: Limit Your Child’s Screen Time Now!

Are children spending too much time on screens?

As a parent or nanny, have you ever had a gut feeling that your children may be glued to playing video games when they could be outside making mud pies instead? Or maybe their phones are constantly buzzing at the dinner table, and they’re not fully present emotionally? Trust your instincts because it could be telling you something important!

A little goes a long way

Don’t get me wrong, I agree that some TV or screen time can be a great form of entertainment! With all the incredible advancements in technology, it’s only natural that children would be curious about it. We are also better able to communicate with family members and friends using technology, with a quick press of a button! The benefits of interactive play many iPads and smart devices have are just great! Through participating in these touch-screen games and activities, they can help develop:

• Children’s memories
• Creativity and imagination
• Dynamic thinking
• Promotes teamwork skills
• Problem-solving
• Education skills

However, there is an extremely fine line between "a little and a lot."

Whether it’s in the car, bus, or at home—screens are popping up in front of children’s faces more than ever before!

In attempts to “hush” our children, we are suddenly left with 2 year olds who can switch on devices and jump into a game back to front but have no desire to jump on scooters and have adventures outside!

Do you know what’s happening to your child?

Influence on behaviour

As a parent or nanny, have you ever noticed your child come off technology suddenly super cranky and emotional? You’ll know when your child has had too much screen time; this is the most common reaction!

Just as your child’s little brain is craving to be fed with everything it needs, their emotional wellbeing is also incredibly important to be nourished! Children rely heavily on relationships and human interaction to balance their feelings and communicate. By practicing this through human relationships, it helps children’s understanding of their emotions and other people’s feelings grow. Games simply do not have the same level of support and understanding we’d give to them. This is why often children will come off games feeling frustrated, angry, and grumpy.

Try incorporating media literacy into real-life activities

I understand that in this day and age, many children are fascinated by media and may not show sudden interest in any other activities. So by incorporating this behaviour activity, you can relate to media yet also give your child/teen a break!

Movie/book re-enactment!

Have your child pick their favourite movie or book and ask them to pretend to be a character from the story. Dress up; use a few home items as props! Perhaps focus on an emotional scene. Ask your child how their character is feeling, what’s happened, and how we are going to solve the problem. Now you’ll suddenly be teaching your child a whole lot and having fun at the same time!

Influence on the brain

If many children only know of an object from their iPads, how can their brains possibly get the full sensory experience? How does your child know if a flower is going to smell good, be soft to touch, or the thorns would prick their hands if they have only seen it on a screen?

The brain is such an amazing, complex structure. Children’s brains are like little sponges hungry to be filled with all types of information, senses, and experiences.

A little tech time can be educational, but too much of it, and their brains will simply not be stimulated the same way they used to be, even as close as 20 years ago!

In 1999, children were spending more than 3 hours a day watching television, and now it’s jumped up to a whopping 7 hours a day!

Suddenly, this dramatic dive in physical activity, social interaction, adventure, and new senses experienced means our children’s brains are really only half getting what they and their brains truly need!

Take your kiddos favourite movie just as we did before and make up the ending! Perhaps encourage a family movie night, and after, encourage your children to make a better/more exciting ending!

(For ages 2–6) Create a simple sensory tray using things around the house. Perhaps flowers from the garden, pasta, rocks, fussy cushion covers, or jelly. Ask your kiddo to describe the texture of each and what they see, feel, hear, taste (if edible), and smell.

Influence on health and wellbeing

Did you know there is a direct link between child obesity and too much screen time?

It is completely shocking how little physical activity our children are getting in today’s society! According to guidelines, children need at least 60 minutes a day of exercise and a minimum of 3 days a week.

More time sitting than participating in exercise can lead to:

• Increased risk of developing disabilities
• Exhibiting violent behaviour
• Increased blood pressure
• Obesity
• Lack of social skills leading to loneliness
• Delayed language ability

Instead of screen time, make a new routine perhaps one night a week that involves one of the following:

• Family swimming
• Yoga or half an hour meditation try this one (although there are many other amazing guided meditations to try!)
• A walk in the park after nursery/school
• Obstacle course (try it in your garden and use old cardboard boxes and holla hoops—this can also be great fun!)
• Family race—in your garden or at the park (egg and spoon race, three-legged race, bean bag, you name it!)
  
  

As a nanny or parent, you develop the ability to trust your instincts when something doesn’t feel quite right. If you have a feeling, it’s there for a reason! Trusting your gut is a key part of raising an amazing little human. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on our digital age—do you agree with me? Let me know in the comments below!

Nanny Maryanne x