2021: New Year, New Start!

Article: Starting the school year right

January Resource Booklet

 

Article: Enjoying this holiday season!

Article: Tips for keeping holidays less stressful

December Activity: Christmas tree craft & game!

 

November Activity: Hanging decoration

 

Details of wind chime

Earth Day: Caring for the environment

Let us create opportunities to nurture and grow our knowledge of environmental responsibility so that the generations to come will learn to care about the environment and be better stewards of the environment. 

Here are some tips and a simple activity on how to get started today! 

Article: Caring for the environment begins at home

10 Tips for you to go green as a family!

Make a terrarium!

September activity: Managing screen time as a family!

 

Click here for Personalized Family Media Use Plan 

Interview with Dr Chong: Screen time for kids

1. What would be the recommended amount of screen time for children between 7-12 years old? 

 

The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) realises the fact that digital devices place a large part in our lives, in this moment, including the use of it for homework, learning, but also leisure. Especially with Covid-19, home-based learning would demand that children do their learning and schoolwork on computers—which inadvertently has increased screen time in children.

 

The AAP has decided not to set an absolute time limit to screen time for school-aged children and adolescents, but rather advises the parents need to review the content, the appropriateness, and the displacement effect of screen time of other activities eg. homework, physical activity, family time and sleep, as a gauge of whether their children’s screen time is excessive and appropriate. It recommends that parents review their children’s screen time in terms of the type of media, the type of use, the amount and extent of use, and the characteristics of the individual child.

Specific screen habits and screen-use behaviours can also tell us if a child’s screen time is excessive and appropriate. For example, the child refuses to do homework and instead wants more screen time; the child has no other activities including physical and social than screen time, the child prefers screen time to family time, and the whole family spends time on screens than on activities that promote bonding.

 

One very good way to look at the balance of whether screen time is excessive to other activities is to use the Family Media Screen plan, easily available on HealthyChildren.org. (elaborated in Point 3)

 

(Note: AAP still places screen time recommendations for younger children up to age of 5 years)

 

2. What are the concerns about allowing too much screen time? 

a) Health effects: Increased inactivity leads to obesity, and prolonged use causes eye strain and leads to astigmatism and myopia. Blue light from screens has been found to disrupt the natural sleep rhythm. Many children also use screens before bedtime and end up going to bed late.

 

b) Less time would be spent on homework, and in fact studies have shown that excessive screen time leads to grades dropping and work deteriorating.

 

c) Displacement effect—displaces time spent on hobbies, interactive play, non-screen related social activities, and also exercise and family time

 

d) Behavioural effects—excessive time spent on videos and YouTube streams and games of violent themes leads to aggressive behaviour and sometimes modelling of inappropriate language. Studies have also shown that excessive screen time leads to inattention and reduced frustration tolerance for effortful mental work (eg. homework). Children with excessive screen time are more likely to resort to bullying and also have reduced emotional skills including empathy and listening skills. Internet addiction is also an emerging behavioural disorder of concern.

 

e) Longer exposure to screens means higher possibilities of chancing upon inappropriate websites with adult themes, or chat with strangers whom they do not know—it can be a dangerous social space

 

3. Given these concerns, what course of action, do you recommend can be done to counter these concerns?

 

Firstly, have a Family Media screen plan https://www.healthychildren.org/English/media/Pages/default.aspx

In this media plan, each member/ child keys in the time required for school, sleep, family, exercise, after-school activities, chores and in parallel—one can easily adjust the screen time available after these activities have been keyed in as priority. Immediately, one realises that as screen time increases time for other activities reduce, and vice-versa. It is a good reminder of the importance of these activities in the child’s life—and that displacement effect easily occurs when we are not careful.

 

Secondly, be a good role model for screen time and screen use. Studies have shown that children who have excessive screen time have parents who are also excessively on the screen. Children with parents who are excessively on the screen also feel neglected emotionally.

 

Thirdly, talk to children frequently about the dangers of the cyber space and the ill effects of excessive screen use. Review its effects on the child and the family

The family can also have a “screen detox” day when the family puts away devices for an enjoyable time together.

 

 

4. With technological advancements and the increasing need for our children to be tech-savvy, what are some ways in which we can harness technology? 

 

Technology can be used for education and teaching

1) Educational games can increase interest in learning through fun and interactive ways. These can be through educational sites, apps.

2) Websites are an important source of information for project work, and children can learn how to source for online information

3) Home-based learning now has become essential as a way for teachers to “teach” and allow flexibility of children to learn at their own pace

4) Livestreams of lectures and webinars can be available for online learning at own targets

5) Access to news and update knowledge with quick access.

 

Technology can be harnessed for project work

1) Google drives for example can allow sharing of project work and documents where members can edit and give inputs at their own time

2) Technology can allow distant partnerships and collaborations for projects among different students, without physically meeting

 

Technology can be used for social activities

1) The newer ways of interaction including WhatsApp chat, Facebook, Instagram allows youth to connect through such channels and maintain friendships

2) YouTube allows students to upload videos and performances where they can showcase and share their talents

3) Children can participate in support groups and advocacy groups for emotional and social supports

 

5. What benefits can children glean from exposure to technology at a young age? 

 

With appropriate guidance and supervision, children can be motivated to learn through interesting online material and using interactive technological resources.

It is realistic that children will grow up in an era where computer and technology literacy is essential for their education. They will learn useful skills which will apply in school in future.

 Some children who are young can be learning about simple coding—which is currently the skills that are desired in modern age and era. Children also learn to communicate through emails and chats—which are now essential for daily communication and writing.

At the same time, technology allows children to “see” and be exposed to things and experiences without actually having to be physical present—it adds to their ability to imagine, be creative and to have “virtual experiences” through such platforms.