Encourage your child to play indoors
ENTERTAINING KIDS: THERE ARE A NUMBER OF GREAT ACTIVITIES TO STIMULATE LITTLE ONES
Adverse impacts of screen time on health and well-being remain a cause for concern.
We’re into the second year of the pandemic, facing the winter months ahead and worrying about a possible Covid third wave.
For parenting and childhood development experts, the global crisis has provoked deep concerns about the multiple impacts on our children, one of which is how indoor confinement has led to an increase in screen time.
In many ways, our screens have been our friends. They’ve enabled us to work remotely and provided educational continuity for our school-aged and student kids.
They’ve provided much-needed entertainment when so few leisure options have been available.
Most importantly, screens have given us a lifeline by enabling us to keep in touch with loved ones.
However, despite these benefits, the adverse impacts of screen time on health and well-being, especially on early child development, remain a cause for concern and have triggered a greater need for physical activity and play.
Numerous international studies undertaken during the initial global lockdown in 2020 have revealed alarming stats about increased screen time and related health concerns.
One US study of 3 000 parents found that screen time for their kids had increased by 500%, while another study published in Jama Ophthalmology reported the prevalence of short-sightedness in children from too much screen use.
Closer to home, a SA study conducted last year found that parents in both urban and rural settings exceeded the global and national guidelines for screen time, and the majority of the respondents didn’t think screen time could impact negatively on their little ones.
A lot of parents simply lack the knowledge of how screen time can negatively affect their child’s development and milestones.
I also find some parents do not know how to play with their children and it’s much easier to allow the child to engage in screen time.
Lara Schoenfeld, occupational therapist and co-founder of Play Sense, echoes Stockdale’s sentiments.
“We are told by an advert on Facebook all the time that a particular app will help my child read by age four. Not only is that developmentally inappropriate but it can look ‘educational’ to parents.
“Too much screen time robs little ones of sensory exploration. There is no app for sand and water play.”
South Africa’s national guidelines for children and screen time are aligned to the World Health Organisation’s guidelines. Screen time is not recommended for infants under one year, while children from two to five years of age should not experience more than one hour a day.
Covid has wreaked havoc on physical play and sensory development
Of course, Covid has caused havoc when it comes to making sure toddlers are getting all-round stimulation. Some playschools are yet to reopen, and many parents have limited social interactions to keep the family safe.
However, increasing toddler screen time is not a solution.
Leanne Gordon-Myers, CEO of Pollywiggles, a local toy distributor specialising in educational toys that focus on developmental play and stimulation, says that more practical and physical alternatives to screen time are needed.
Pre-schoolers should have a bare minimum of three hours of physical activity spread across the day, with at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous movement.
“Parents need to get creative in getting their kids moving.
“Think blanket forts, dance fun, indoor obstacle courses, and toys that promote physical activity, says Gordon-Myers.
As a solution to the indoor dilemma parents face during Covid, the toy distributor has bought in a compact light-weight indoor play gym that can be assembled for indoor play, and then easily folded and stored after use.
“The Lil’ Monkey toddler gym” not only keeps kids busy indoors, but it builds strength and offers all the sensory stimulation required to improve gross and fine motor skills, which is so important during those critical years of ages one to five,” says Gordon-Myers.
According to Stockdale, climbing toys are great for sensory input to a toddler’s muscles and joints, which builds the motor skills needed for eventual classroom abilities such as holding a pencil and handwriting.
By being encouraged to use both sides of the body, play gyms and similar apparatus also assists with the physical competence to do everyday things like ride a bike or use a pair of scissors.
Parents must get creative in getting kids moving