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Thoughts on Screen Time
The very first question we received when we started the blog was, what are your thoughts on screen time?
To many parents, too much screen time has become a concern with all the mobile devices around us. The two primary reasons are typically the screen's harsh impact to the children's eye development; and the repetitive motion and stimulus reduce imagination and critical thinking.
To me, harmful effects to the developing eye can be counter by reminder of the kids' posture; and also reducing the exposure to a shorten interval. Good posture is a habit that kids should develop whether or not they are watching a computer/television screen. Length of exposure should follow physicians recommendations. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that:
For children younger than 18 months, avoid use of screen media other than video-chatting. Parents of children 18 to 24 months of age who want to introduce digital media should choose high-quality programming, and watch it with their children to help them understand what they're seeing.
For children ages 2 to 5 years, limit screen use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programs. Parents should co-view media with children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.
For children ages 6 and older, place consistent limits on the time spent using media, and the types of media, and make sure media does not take the place of adequate sleep, physical activity and other behaviors essential to health.
Designate media-free times together, such as dinner or driving, as well as media-free locations at home, such as bedrooms.
Have ongoing communication about online citizenship and safety, including treating others with respect online and offline.
Furthermore, as long as the screen time is spent effectively, you are introducing technology to your children in a fun manner. Coding is key to communications in the future. Don't keep your kids in the dark by depriving them of screen time. But instead of mindless gaming, turn screen time into an effective way to learn about technology. What better way to motivate them than to let them have fun at the same time?
Here are some websites my daughter and I regularly spend our time to learn more about computers and other STEM fields:
Age group: 4+
Category: Computer coding
Code.org is a favorite code-learning website of ours.
There are several coding exercises available on the website designed to train young minds ion computer algorithms without them even knowing. This website does an amazing job integrating algorithm writing with popular gaming and cartoon characters.
The coding exercises are categorized by age groups and kids can start as early as age 4 and suitable for anyone that wants to start thinking like a computer programmer.
Age group: 8+
Category: Computer coding
Scratch is a program created by the great minds at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It is a very visual environment that helps you think like a computer programmer while creating interactive stories, games, and animations.
It is a great website to train everyone, from kids to adult, in coding as well as problem solving, solution designing, and communications.
Age group: Age 7+
Category: Computer coding
As stated on Tynker's website, "Tynker is a complete learning system that teaches kids to code. Kids begin experimenting with visual blocks, then progress to JavaScript and Python as they design games, build apps, and make incredible projects."
Enough said. Join for free!
Age group: Age 7+
Category: Life Science
Animal Jam is a kids friendly online gaming program created by WildWorks in collaboration with National Geographic Society. Kids choose an animal and explore the various habitats while learning facts about animals and their environment.
It is free to sign up, but for additional features, additional cost for membership is required.
Even with all these websites, we cannot emphasize enough that the best way to keep the children interested is to explore with them! Observing your interest in computers and coding is the best way to motivate the kids to keep learning more about the subject.
I've set up coding competitions between my daughter and me on solving a coding exercise. The smile on her face when she beats me is priceless.
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