In the screen heavy, efficiency driven society we live in, we are quick to point fingers at something that hasn’t shown its full potential yet. Educators and professionals in the field agree that children and adults are exposed to more screen time today than ever before, but are we being too hard on technology, especially screens? Don’t get me wrong, I’m a HUGE advocate of reduced screen time for everyone, especially young developing children, but perhaps we are being a little naïve and forgetful that we too as children still watched TV, and participated in mindless and minimally beneficial activities too.
When children are constantly exposed to screens, especially screens being used simultaneously, for example, a TV on in the background with a tablet or phone in their hand, research is clear it’s having negative effects on children’s developing brains and bodies. I 100% agree, but do we sometimes jump to conclusions too quickly? When children are regulated with their screen time each day it can have positive effects on their learning. Hey, we all turned out ok watching ‘Bugs Bunny and Astro Boy’ after school right? When children need to be pried away from video games and tablets, using bribery and other tactics, now we’re dealing with an addiction issue.
I am by no means a perfect parent, and my three-year-old son watches TV shows and movies, but I am increasingly careful about having multiple screens on, especially in the background. When we hear ALL screen time is bad, I tend to push back on that. Hear me out – My son is obsessed with Thomas and Friends and I’ve observed him watching the show. He watches for about 30 minutes very intently, and after, goes down to the basement and builds his tracks for hours, attempting to replicate what he just watched, using the same characters, creating dialogue with the characters and even attempting a British accent! He may have been oblivious to his surroundings for the 30 minutes he watched the show on TV, but used what he saw and heard and created his own spin on things. His supply of trains does not represent the entirety of “The Island of Sodor” (we would be broke…) but he’s able to pull in other loose parts and materials to fill in those gaps, using his creativity and imagination.
When used constructively, screens can benefit children, and making a conscious effort to regulate it will make a difference in your child’s development. I’ll take my sons 30 minutes of screen time, and raise you 2 hours of creative and expressive play.
Play. challenge. grow 