Screens have become an integral part of our daily lives, and it is difficult to imagine our lives without them. However, excessive screen use among toddlers has become a major concern.
Indeed, numerous studies have highlighted the potential dangers of this practice on the development of young children, both physical and intellectual, as well as the impact that this will have on the quality of their skin and hair.
In this article, Joonify has explore the potential dangers of screens on young children and consider steps we can take to protect them.
As a reminder, the construction of the child from 0 to 3 years old is a complex process that takes place in several stages. Here is a general description of these steps:
Physical Development
During this period, the child experiences rapid growth and develops motor skills. He goes from lying down to being able to sit up, then to crawling, walking, and running.
Cognitive development
The child begins to explore the world around him and develop his understanding of language, objects, and concepts. He also learns to solve simple problems and use his memory.
Social and emotional development
The child begins to develop emotional bonds with his parents and other important people in his life. He also learns to recognize and express his emotions, as well as interact with others.
Language Development
During this period, the child moves from babbling to producing simple words and sentences. He also begins to understand adult language and communicate his needs and desires.
Sensory development
The child explores his environment using his senses, such as touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell. He also learns to coordinate his movements to manipulate objects.
It is important to note that each child develops at their own pace, so milestones may vary from child to child.
This is why it is essential to provide a safe, stimulating, and loving environment to promote the optimal development of your child. Screens are not part of this equation and we will explain why:
Delayed cognitive development
Adverse effects on language
Excessive exposure to screens can hinder language development in toddlers. Children who spend a lot of time in front of screens have fewer opportunities to interact with their environment and hear and reproduce words and sentences.
This can lead to a delay in language acquisition and verbal communication.
Difficulties with attention and concentration
Screens can also affect toddlers’ ability to focus and maintain attention. The constant visual and auditory stimuli from screens can overwhelm their still-developing sensory systems, which can make it difficult for them to focus on other activities requiring sustained attention.
Impaired social and emotional skills
Excessive screen use can also hurt little ones’ social and emotional skills. Virtual interactions cannot replace real-life interactions with other children or adults.
Toddlers who spend too much time in front of screens may have difficulty recognizing and expressing emotions, as well as developing social skills such as nonverbal communication and problem-solving.
Lack of creativity and imagination
Screens can also limit toddlers’ creativity and imagination. Instead of exploring their real-world surroundings and engaging in imaginative play, they may find themselves absorbed in pre-made content on screens.
This can hinder the development of their creativity, and ability to solve problems and think independently.
Sleeping troubles
First, exposure to blue light emitted by screens can disrupt the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Blue light is particularly stimulating to the brain, which can make it more difficult to fall asleep and disrupt sleep quality.
Physical health risks
Spending long hours in front of a screen can lead to an excessively sedentary lifestyle in little ones, increasing the risk of childhood obesity and associated health problems such as type 2 diabetes.
In addition, poor posture when using of digital devices can lead to musculoskeletal problems and diseases linked to a sedentary lifestyle. When children spend a lot of time in front of screens, they tend to be less active, which leads to poor blood circulation in the body.
Poor blood circulation will affect the health of their hair by reducing its growth and making it more fragile. Additionally, it can also affect their skin by reducing its natural glow.
Social and emotional difficulties
Excessive screen use is a big risk for real-life social interactions among little ones. This can lead to difficulty developing social skills, such as nonverbal communication and managing emotions.
Children may also become dependent on screens for entertainment, which will harm their ability to care for themselves and engage in creative activities. Face-to-face interactions are essential for learning to communicate, share, resolve conflicts, and develop empathy.
Protective measures
Up to 3 years old no screen. It is recommended to limit toddler screen time to less than an hour per day for children ages 3 to 6.
Establish clear rules
Set rules for using screens and explain them to your child simply and understandably. For example, you can decide on a specific daily duration for screens and determine when they are allowed.
Be a role model
Children often imitate their parents’ behavior. So try to limit your own screen time around your child. Show him that you prefer to spend time together doing other activities.
Suggest alternatives
Offer your child a variety of alternative activities that don’t require a screen, such as reading books, outdoor play, board games, puzzles, crafts, and more. Encourage him to explore and use his imagination.
Create a screen-free environment
Avoid placing televisions or computers in your child’s room. Instead, create a space dedicated to non-electronic activities.
Use educational apps
If you decide to allow your child to use apps on a tablet or smartphone, choose age-appropriate educational apps. Also, limit the time spent on these apps.
Encourage social interaction
Promote real social interactions by organizing games with other children or spending time with family. This will help reduce dependence on screens.
Establish a routine
Create a daily routine that includes specific times for screen-free activities, like reading before bed or playing outdoors after school.
Use parental control tools
If you decide to allow your child to use electronic devices, use parental control tools to limit access to certain content and set usage time limits.
By implementing these strategies, you can help your little one develop a healthy balance between screen time and other activities important to their development.
Encourage physical and creative activities
Encourage outdoor play, reading, drawing, and other activities that stimulate the imagination and promote physical and cognitive development.
Outdoor games
Arrange regular outings to a park or playground where your child can run, jump, climb, and play with other children. Encourage him to explore nature, collect leaves or stones, and participate in active games like running or throwing balls.
Sporting activities
Enroll your child in age-appropriate sports activities, such as swimming, soccer, kids yoga, or dance. These activities will allow him to develop his motor skills while having fun.
Construction games
Building games such as blocks, puzzles or Lego stimulates creativity and helps develop cognitive and motor skills. Encourage your child to build imaginative and inventive structures.
Arts and crafts
Offer your child artistic activities such as drawing, painting, sculpture or jewelry making. Provide them with age-appropriate materials and encourage them to express their creativity.
Reading books
Read books regularly with your child to stimulate their imagination and curiosity. Choose age-appropriate books and encourage them to ask questions and discuss the content.
Board games
Play board games appropriate for your child’s age. This will promote the development of social, cognitive, and logical skills while limiting the time spent in front of a screen.
Musical activities
Encourage your child to explore music by introducing them to simple musical instruments or listening to different styles of music together. Organize dance sessions to move and have fun with the music.
Unstructured free time
Give your child unstructured free time where he can choose his activities. This will allow him to explore his creativity and develop his interests.
By encouraging these physical and creative activities, you offer your child stimulating and engaging alternatives that will naturally reduce their desire to spend time in front of a screen.
Create a screen-free environment
Establish screen-free zones in the home, especially in bedrooms, to promote healthy sleep and limit exposure to screens.
Create a dedicated play area
Organize artistic activities
Encourage your child’s creativity by offering artistic activities such as finger painting, drawing, collage or play dough.
Spend time outdoors
Enjoy nature by taking your child for a walk in a park, playing in the garden or participating in age-appropriate sports activities.
Limit exposure to screens
If you want to create a screen-free environment, it’s important to limit exposure time to televisions, smartphones, and tablets. Set clear rules and encourage interactive and physical activities instead.
By creating a screen-free environment for your little one, you will promote their cognitive, social, and motor development while allowing them to explore the world around them in a more authentic way.
To remember
It is essential to be aware of the potential dangers of screens on toddlers to protect their physical, cognitive, and emotional development. By limiting their exposure to screens and encouraging more enriching activities, we can help provide children with a healthy environment conducive to their development.
It is therefore important to limit screen time and encourage children to adopt healthy habits, such as regular exercise, good sleep hygiene, and a balanced diet to also maintain the beauty of their hair and hair. their skin.
