Healthy Boundaries, Happy Kids: Part Two

[00:03:08] Limiting screen time for children

“The more senses you can activate, while a child is learning, like the more they’ll lock that knowledge into their brain, right?”

• No Screen Time Before Age Two: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of two should not have any screen time, except for video chats with family members. This guideline is based on the understanding that young children need to engage with their environment through direct, sensory experiences rather than through screens.
• Limit to Two Hours a Day After Age Two: For children aged two and older, the recommendation is to limit screen time to no more than two hours a day. This restriction is vital because excessive screen time can hinder the development of essential skills and experiences that children gain through active play and interaction with their surroundings.

While these are the recommendations, we understand that life happens. Remember quality content matters & using screens when you have to is not a representation of the type of parent you are. You never know what other parents are experiencing, try not to judge others and focus on what is happening in your home with your family. 

“In young children’s brain development, it’s use it or lose it.”

[00:06:04] Goldilocks effect in brain development

• Dr. John Hutton’s research shows that the most effective way to stimulate a child’s brain is through reading real books with real people
  • It’s valuable to read with inflection, excitement, and energy – this also creates connection between words and expression
• This method creates the necessary wiring in the brain for future skills like reading and writing

[00:10:13] Feeding your child’s interests

• Reading, learning, and literacy should be developed around the child not the other way around
  • Utilize books and activities that pique the interest of the child and share in the joy they have found in any specific topics that have zeroed in on
  • While a vast array of materials and subjects are wonderful for your child, it is okay to let them lead and to follow their favorites if that keeps them present and engaged

The Importance of Setting Boundaries in Early Childhood Development

[00:12:57] Remember quality as much as quantity

• Not only do we have to take into consideration how much time is spent with certain activities, we need to remember quality – if kids do not watch much television but it is age inappropriate this can still be detrimental
  • For example: a young child watching something with violence or gore could cause nightmares or repeated behavior
• PBS Kids has many wonderful, educational and short shows for young children and is free
  • These promote attention span, self-control, and social-emotional development and can/should be paired with reading or activities for a full learning experience

[00:17:32] Routines & Environment, Especially Sleep

• Creating a safe learning and home environment is optimal- the space needs to be available for the child to move and explore freely depending on their age and abilities
• Sleep
  • This is critical, in the early years it can be difficult finding the balances and changes through the years between many naps to one to none but ensuring your children get a good night’s rest is extremely valuable. Bedtime should be a slow, specific and calm routine – again – so they know what to expect each night.
• Environment
  • Consistency is key – keep a routine and rules consistent. Children want to know what to expect and they want a parent or adult to guide them. They have far too many unknowns and want to be told what to do as the alternative is scary.
  • Give them choices, this is important. All human beings young and old want a sense of autonomy and starting early gives children a sense of self and control. Let both choices still be what they need to do – for example: do you want to wear the red socks or blue socks – either way they will have socks on at the end of their choice.
  • Language – say everything. There is tons of research, showing that even narrating to infants can help grow their vocabularies and teach them many words and support them in reading when it comes time. This can also go on throughout their childhood. Do not be afraid to share detailed and factual information about lots of age appropriate items with them.
• Predictability
  • Comfort in transitions
  • If they know routine, they can predict when transitions are coming and anticipate how they feel

[00:22:43] Importance of imaginative & unstructured play

• Play deprivation research by Stuart Brown, found that too much structure and lack of unstructured play times can lead to negative outcomes in children, including behavioral issues
  • Lack of play can cause:
    • Behavioral issues
    • Impaired development
    • Reduced academic performance

“There’s one common denominator that he found among those young men, and that was play deprivation in childhood.”

[00:32:51] Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is available to all children in Ohio from birth to age 5. Once a child is enrolled, the program sends them a brand-new book every month until they reach their 5th birthday. The program is FREE and there are NO RESTRICTIONS for eligibility!

“It takes a village. We are responsible for raising a lot of money to support offering Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.”

[00:35:08] Long-term literacy program support

• The Literacy Cooperative was developed as there was a great need for support in our adults in the Cleveland area – programs were developed to provide opportunities to further education, change individual’s status within their jobs, and their potential to make more money and live above the poverty line.
  • Essentially, the ability to build their literacy skills created many opportunities for success
  • However, The Literacy Cooperative quickly noticed they were being reactive rather than proactive and started to put together plans for programs for the whole family