General Guidelines
Emphasis on Quality over Quantity
Try to include educational or slower frame movement programming (Think of shows you liked as a child). When possible, try to engage with your child on what they are watching. Be mindful of how much time is appropriate for your specific child. Can they take breaks? Can they handle when it is time to shut off?
Recommendations and Research for Ages 0-5
Set Expectations on Screen Time
Routines and parent modeling is important during these ages. Set boundaries in day, for example, that dinner is screen free time for everyone.
No screens directly before bedtime routine
Incorporating reading of hardcopy books before bed. This allows children space from the stimulation of the screen and time to settle for bedtime.
Try to avoid using screen time to stop a tantrum
It is completely developmentally appropriate for children to test boundaries. Just be mindful they are not training you. One of the biggest challenges for this age group is emotional regulation. Children need opportunities to work through feelings of frustration at a young age. This is foundational learning of how to grow emotional resiliency.
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Recent Research
“Because children and adolescents can have many different kinds of interactions with technology, rather than setting a guideline for specific time limits on digital media use, we recommend considering the quality of interactions with digital media and not just the quantity, or amount of time.
It is important to consider the specific activities that children and teens engage in on social media, and to support them in using social media in ways that strengthen their social, emotional, cognitive and identity development. When it comes to household rules around technology use, there is evidence that rules focusing on content, co-viewing and communication are associated with better well-being outcomes than rules focused on screen time.”
“Study of kids ages 3 to 5 suggests that digital media use (“screen time”) impacts development of brain areas responsible for visual processing, empathy, attention, complex memory and early reading skills” Cincinnati Children’s
Importance of Risk Based Play
“Play is not just about having fun but about taking risks, experimenting, and testing boundaries.
Play builds the brain and the body. Play has been shown to support brain structure and functioning, facilitating synapse connection and improving brain plasticity.”
— Power of Play in Early Childhood AAP (2021)
manipulate grows creativity, physical dexterity but also social emotional communication skills. This promotes a stronger foundation for their overall well being. As part of our mission we hope to grow access to free play opportunities in the real world to support a better balance for digital wellness for children.
By giving children access to unstructured play time, you are allowing them to creatively problem solve in a group setting without any pressure of an anticipated result. Having children in the real world with tangible objects they can
Town Specific Resources
Scituate
Scituate Moms Meet Up Group on Facebook
Various meet ups (walks, playground meet ups and or moms night out)
Fun Runs, stroller workout classes, various age based activities
Free Area Meet Up Spots
Purple Dinosaur Playground
North Scituate Playground
Widows Walk Golf Course
(walking and winter activities in off season)