In today’s digital age, children are constantly exposed to screens and interact with them in more ways than ever before – from smartphones and tablets to computers, TVs, and video games. With the rapid rise of technology in our society, it’s easy to see why kids spend so much time on screens.
The founder of Montessori education, Maria Montessori, strongly disapproved of the use of screens. She believed that “when children are not physically active, their senses become dull and inactive, and their power to concentrate on intellectual tasks is undermined.” She believed in an environment full of sensory input, with plenty of opportunities for physical activity.
By upholding these beliefs, we are giving our children a better chance of developing a healthy relationship with screens. When we start exposing our kids to a primarily screen-based environment, it puts them at risk of negative consequences. However, digital devices and social media can play an important part in a child’s development and growth, so it’s essential to strike a balance between screen time and physical activity. To achieve this balance, we must understand the impact of screen time on our children.
The Impact of Screen Time
Do you need more proof that screen time has a negative impact on cognitive development and overall health? Let’s look at how media affects our children today and what we can do about it.
1. Lack of Communication Skills
Research has shown that many of today’s children aren’t learning the social skills they need to succeed in school. Children spend less time connecting with other children and adults, speaking in public, and practicing proper manners because they’re more comfortable talking and communicating with a screen. Screen time keeps kids in their homes instead of getting those important social skills they need growing up.
2. Inappropriate Behavior
Studies have shown that screen time, and inattentiveness lead to a higher incidence of violent crimes. Inappropriate social interactions and emotional problems can result from prolonged use. We can see this in how children behave on social media, especially when interacting with strangers online. When kids are spending more time online, they’re not getting introduced to real-life people.
3. Concentration Problems
Kids today spend more time on screens and less time reading, leading to a decline in concentration skills. Most children who spend most of their time on social media and playing video games don’t have enough experience with other activities that require focus, like learning and physical activity. Children with poor attention spans are more likely to develop mental health problems as adults.
4. Severe Sleep Problems
Did you know that kids today are sleeping less than ever before? Children spend more time on screens and less time sleeping, which is another link to a higher incidence of mental health problems in children and adults. This includes poor work performance, attention problems, and memory problems.
5. Unawareness of the World Around Them
Exposure to screens and social media has increased kids’ disconnect with the world around them. They spend more time interacting with a screen and less time with their peers, families, and communities. This has been linked to low self-esteem and an inability to deal with conflict. We must help our children develop healthy relationships to prepare them for their future.
These are just some ways that screen time can affect our children’s cognitive, emotional, and physical health.
Benefits of Screen Time for Kids
We now look at the benefits of digital devices for children. They can be an essential resource for learning, entertainment, and socializing.
1. Extended Learning Opportunities
Many children enjoy playing educational games on their devices. This gives them a chance to explore the world around them in a fun way, without getting bored or feeling like they’re being forced to learn something they don’t care about. They can learn at their own pace and take advantage of educational apps that help them understand important concepts like math and science.
2. Fun & Engaging
Digital devices can be fun and engaging when used in moderation. We see this through healthy content online and in apps that keep kids moving without over-stimulating them. They teach children how to interact with peers, communicate with friends, and take turns at video games.
3. Integration of Social Media
Social media has become essential to our children’s lives but can cause problems when used too much. With digital devices, kids can access other apps and websites, which constantly exposes kids to various information. This allows them to talk to their friends, school friends, and people worldwide. This will enable kids to learn about other cultures and connect with others who share their interests, goals, and passions.
4. Cognitive Development
Smartphones and tablets have plenty of apps for cognitive development. Games, activity apps, and puzzles help kids create new skills and learn through problem-solving. This helps with critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.
5. Physical Activity & Fitness
Physical activity is essential for child growth, and digital devices can be a great way to develop this important skill. Kids can burn calories and increase their heart rate with fitness apps like Zumba, Run Keeper, and Fitocracy. These apps help kids stay active and have fun while exercising.
6. Safety & Protection
When used properly, digital devices give kids a sense of security by allowing parents to stay in touch with their kids at all times. Studies have shown that smart devices can make kids feel less lonely and safe, especially when used in a positive way.
How to Reduce Screen Time for Kids
The screen time problem isn’t going away anytime soon, but we can reduce its impact by making a few changes at home.
1. Set Boundaries
We should begin by limiting our children’s screen time. This can be difficult when there are apps, games, and social media sites like Instagram and Snapchat that they’re encouraged to use. We can increase the number of unplugged activities we do together, like reading books or playing board games. We should also encourage kids to play outside and get more exercise! This will help reduce the overall amount of time spent on screens.
2. Encourage Physical Activity
One of the best strategies for reducing screen time is focusing more on physical activity. This will immediately impact the amount of time your children spend in front of a screen. The more we encourage exercise, the more time kids will spend outside, enjoying the sun and fresh air!
The best physical activities for children are
- running
- jumping
- climbing
- throwing
- swimming
These exercises promote a healthy heart and lungs, give kids the strength they need to do their favorite activities, and reduce their risks of obesity.
3. Find the Right Balance of Activity & Media
We should aim to strike a balance between physical activity and screen time in our homes. Children can enjoy learning new skills through the training they want while also getting the benefit of being active.
“Let’s walk to school” and “Let’s do math problems” are useful activities they can participate in while playing games on their phones.
4. Spend Quality Time Together
Few things are more important in a child’s life than spending quality time with their family. This helps build their self-confidence and self-esteem and prepares them for the world outside. These are the relationships they will make throughout their lives and how they will learn how to relate to others. This is crucial for a child’s emotional and social development.
5. Set Examples
We need to set good examples for our children regarding screen time. Playing games together and encouraging their use for positive purposes are great ways to improve our children’s screen usage habits.
6. Take the Time to Talk
One of the best things we can do for our children is to spend time together without screens. This allows us to talk about their day and help them solve problems or work through difficult emotions. They gain essential self-esteem by using their words and expressing themselves, seeing that you’re interested in what they have to say.
7. Use Age-Appropriate Apps
The best strategy for how to reduce screen time is to use screens wisely and safely. Using screens more often than necessary doesn’t improve your child’s life, but neither will prevent them from using them. They’ll be left behind as their friends use them to communicate and play together. We should consider how our children use the devices before we let them access the internet or social media sites like Facebook or Snapchat.
Final Thoughts
Screen time can be a valuable part of our children’s lives, but it can also cause problems if they’re not used in moderation. Kids need to understand the impact of their screen time and how they can avoid problems caused by being online too much.
We at Montessori Academy believe that technology is a powerful tool that can be used to connect and educate children. We believe that parents play an important role in guiding this process, but we also recognize the value of teachers and other adults who understand how to help kids learn while they’re online.
In Montessori, we use the Internet in our classrooms to support the development of our students. We integrate digital devices with traditional learning methods, creating an interactive learning environment where kids learn through an active, hands-on practice called “Montessori Learning.”
For more information about the Montessori Academy, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
