In a time where almost anything is accessible online, technology can be both a blessing and a curse. Advancements in technology show no signs of stopping, prompting parents to question just how bad can a little screen time be? Before handing your screaming toddler that tablet to calm them down there are a few things to consider.
Your Baby / Preschooler
You may playfully hand off your phone to your curious little one because you've allowed yourself to grow accustomed to their calm nature when distracted with a device. When weighing a temper tantrum over thirty minutes of distraction, understandably it's not hard to choose between the two. But while peace of mind might take priority in most situations, it is always important to consider your role in the development of your preschooler. Children under five years of age understand a lot more than we give them credit for. By your child seeing mummy constantly mesmerized by her phone, they just as well might mimic that behavior, or believe adults rely on such devices to remain happy.
The first few years of life are the ones where brain development is fastest so this time is crucial for motor skill, lingual, social and emotional development. Think, what would you like your child to draw on from their first few years - a dependency on animated touch screens, or the real objects that surround them? It's important to establish ownership with your devices with assisted viewing, for example "This is dad's book", so baby doesn't become attached to them but still notices devices that surround them.
 If an apple and a piece of candy were placed before your preschooler, what would you want them to choose?
Giving unproductive screen time can be a lot like handing out candy - fine every now and then, but without moderation, has the possibility to be destructive to development.
Not only is screen time without moderation potentially harmful to your little one, it can be actually harmful to your devices. Surely if you're a parent to a young one you're familiar with close encounters with cracked screens, drowning devices and unusual searches that inspire you to put parental controls into effect. Control your child's access to devices to prevent in-app purchases and other close calls.
Read more on MumsVillage website

About The Author

Author
Alix Grubel

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