With the onslaught of media and
technology, it is no wonder many parents are confused and concerned
about exposing children to television, video-gaming and computer
screens. Given that society is now — and will undoubtedly be in the
future — firmly based in technology, aren’t we doing our kids a
favor by exposing them to screen time as early as possible?
No. This is the consensus of the brain research since the
1990s. Yes, we want to ensure our children grow to have a healthy
relationship with technology — essential for living in today and
tomorrow’s society. But we must also be tech-savvy. For a healthy
brain to develop, our young ones need sensory rich experiences that
involve all their senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell.
They need experiences that are rich with human contact — experiences
that grow the billions of neural pathways that make up a healthy
brain.
What is needed to succeed in school? First, all children need
the ability to persevere to an outcome. For young children this
might include getting fully dressed in outdoor gear for recess,
working with scissors to cut out a shape, or learning to read. All
these tasks require a child to stick with it. Second, the ability to
attend, think, and problem solve are essential. This includes
listening to a teacher explain what needs to be done, understanding
directions, working with a group or forming a team for a game (and
then playing!). Third, the development of a language system is
essential for success. This includes possessing an extensive (and
growing!) vocabulary, understanding stories, and being able to
imagine or form one’s own creative pictures in the mind (not
replicas of television characters). Intrinsic motivation and
curiosity are also keys for success throughout life. These abilities
are highlighted by wanting to learn simply for the satisfaction of
learning, not because of a promised reward. And finally, what is
needed for success in school is the ability to learn new skills and
be creative.
What has research shown about too much screen time? First, it
inhibits the growth of neural pathways in the brain necessary for
healthy, optimal brain development. Second, it promotes the ability
to scan and shift attention at the expense of developing the ability
to focus attention. Children need both abilities to succeed in
school. Paying attention and staying focused helps them to
understand and persevere. Scanning and shifting attention come in
handy as children run around on the playground or make quick
decisions when presented with lots of choices. Third, too much
screen time displaces brain-rich activities such as reading,
creating, imagining and opening to sensory-rich play. So, too, does
this keep children from connecting with others in language-rich
opportunities such as playing with a friend, learning to take turns
and negotiate, being read to or reading, or singing songs. The more
young children watch TV, play video games, or use the computer, the
less time they have to grow a rich network of neural
pathways—necessary for growing a healthy brain that is ready to
learn.
Too much screen time also means less self-directed play to nurture
the imagination, curiosity, attention span, and the opportunity to
think and problem solve—all of which are so important for our
children’s self-esteem and future independence. Screen time
stimulates the adrenal gland, increasing children’s hyperactivity
(ever notice how they seem to bounce off the walls following a
video?), making school instruction time even more challenging. In
addition, screen time tends to reduce one’s ability to persevere. It
is difficult for a child to feel successful when he or she is unable
to stick with whatever needs to be done.
What are some things you can do to support your young child’s
healthy brain development and readiness for school? Read to and
snuggle with them — often! Move: crawl, roll, swing, climb, jump,
run. During indoor times my girls used to build obstacle courses
with chairs, couch pillows and more—lots of movement! Provide ample
time to your child to explore at his or her own pace. This might
include pouring “tea” for dolls and then pretending to be a doctor;
coloring an amazing ship that ends up “exploding” via black crayon
scribbles; or, digging in the backyard dirt pile for worms followed
by creating ramps for trucks and moss houses for local critters.
Provide developmentally appropriate toys and opportunities that
gently challenge your child. For example, tricycles at age 3 and
bikes at age 5 or 6; shape boxes with just a few shapes for a 1 year
old and more shapes for the 2 and 3 year olds; blocks for stacking
for your toddler, legos for your school aged child. Let children
struggle with fitting puzzle pieces into the proper space as you
encourage them and affirm their frustration, as well as their
satisfaction as they succeed. If screen time is used, join them, ask
them questions about what they see, sing along and sit close to
them. Allow and support time for them to be reflective, to sit
quietly. Remember what it used to feel like, hiding out in forts
built out of boxes or curling up in the sunshine like a cat? Allow
children to say they are bored—some of our most creative ideas come
from having “nothing to do.” Let them join you at the counter while
you prepare meals. Provide meaningful ways for them to contribute as
a member of the family—have them set the dinner table, feed the dog,
help you wash your car. Talk, sing, ask them questions and listen to
them.
In this complex, technology-driven society, it truly can be
surprising to realize how simple it is to support your child’s
healthy brain development. By doing so, you will have them ready to
succeed not only in school, but also in life.
Alice Hanscam is a PCI
Certified Parent Coach® and Certified ScreamFree Trainer. Contact
her at Denali Parent Coaching,
www.denaliparentcoaching.com, or 907-868-6933 for more
information.
