In today’s digital world, children are constantly surrounded by screens, be it TVs or mobiles. This environment is vastly different from what we experienced as children. The question every parent ponders is –‘ How do we manage our children’s exposure to screens, especially when social interaction often revolves around them?’
The pandemic brought screens to the forefront of learning and communication. Labelling screens as ‘bad’ is not viable, as they became essential during remote learning. The challenge lies in maintaining a balance between screen time and other activities, without screens turning into a third parent.
Understanding the Reasons:
Health Considerations:
Optimal screen time for children is approximately 20 minutes at a stretch, followed by significant breaks.
Prolonged screen exposure strains the eyes and hampers social development, mainly due to the one-way communication nature of screens.
Mealtime Habits:
Feeding children in front of screens has become prevalent, inadvertently conditioning children to associate eating with screens.
Breaking this cycle is crucial, and parents should ensure that screens are absent during mealtime.
Eye Safety:
Maintaining a distance of at least 12 to 14 inches from the screen is vital to protect young eyes from potential harm.
Sleep Quality:
Restricting screen usage for at least an hour before bedtime promotes better sleep patterns and quality rest.
Parental Guidelines:
Parents must exhibit firmness and consistency to prevent tantrums from becoming associated with screen time.
Sharing personal phones with children is not advisable due to algorithms that may expose inappropriate content based on the parent’s browsing history.
If necessary, consider providing children with a separate device while maintaining control over its usage.
Quick-Wrap up!
At Podar Prep Preschool, we understand that screens have a place in modern life, but balance is key. By being vigilant, understanding the reasons, and setting consistent boundaries, we can ensure that our children enjoy the benefits of technology without it dominating their lives.
Let’s work together to raise mindful, healthy children in this screen-saturated world.
To contact the nearest Podar Prep centre, click here: https://podarprep.com/locations/
