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We want to keep our kids away from screens, but why is that important?
Once kids are introduced to the screens, they want more and more of it, which can have detrimental effects such as missed opportunities for outdoor play, hand-eye coordination activities, and movement. Such activities are essential for the development of vision, which is not just about eyesight, but also a complex brain function that helps us process and derive meaning from what we see.
Excessive screen time may also lead to myopia at a young age and delay in speech and language development. Furthermore, it impacts the relationships that we have with our children, depriving us of bonding time that is crucial for building strong attachments. Additionally, screen time may impair the development of empathy.
Spending time in nature, with animals, reading books, listening to stories, and imagining what they would do if they were a character from that story, that’s what helps kids develop empathy.
Many parents may feel that taking screens away means they will have to entertain their children non-stop. It’s partially true since kids will want more of our attention, but it doesn’t mean we need to dance, crack jokes and build lego all day long so they don’t get bored. Make them part of your life and the things you do. Depending on your child’s age you can cook together, clean the house, do gardening, fix broken chairs, etc. You would have to lower your expectations though. For example, cooking with a 6-year-old sometimes means that he is going to mix spices with water and soap or decorate the table with stones and flowers he found on the way home or make eggs with spirulina because he wants them green. Some days he happily cuts veggies and makes a dressing, but it’s not always like that and that’s ok. It gives him so much more: he gets to have experience in the kitchen, experiment with different flavors, and express creativity! And as a side effect, he loves the food he was making even more! It also fosters bonding time between parent and child, which ultimately strengthens their relationship.
