Let’s just all be completely truthful with each other. For those of us with pre-school aged children, the idea of limiting them to minimal screen time has completely flown out of the window. And if we were just barely hanging on to the screen time limits before the pandemic, then that limitation is almost non-existent now.
For some families it may be easier. I know of some people who choose not to own a television set. But then, of course, there are always laptops and iPads and smartphones where kids could still get their fix.
Kudos to those parents who have managed to stick to their guns and provide their kids with good alternatives. However, I would bet that for the majority of us, things have been pretty tough in this area.
Let’s face it. Besides watching the news for the latest political scandal or joining in on one of our ‘family meetings’ – does anyone really still watch live TV these days? Our options are endless. There’s DStv Catch Up, Showmax, Netflix, Amazon Prime and Apple TV. Plus you’re able to record your favourite movies or shows on certain DStv packages to watch whenever you feel like it.
With the fluctuating state of everything in our country due to the ongoing pandemic, in-person schooling has (sadly) not been excluded.
Parents have been expected to perform the role of teacher at the drop of a hat, on multiple occasions. And, honestly, it’s not always possible. Especially with the pre-schoolers. (We will not enter into the debate as to whether or not early childhood development centres should remain open or not. This is a Pandora’s box all on its own.)
While some parents have been fortunate enough to, at the very least, receive a home-programme from the school, other parents have been faced with radio silence, and left to their own devices.
Clearly the latter is an almost impossible mountain to climb, where one not only has to continue with your day-job (if you’re lucky enough to be working from home), but also try to work out the best curriculum for a 3-year-old without knowing if you’re really on the right track or not, and then trying to implement it.
Which brings me to my next point.
Even when you have been supplied with a home-programme, have you ever tried to implement it?
Let me tell you. It. Is. Hard.
A shortened concentration span; constantly asking for snacks; having to run to the toilet; not necessarily having all the correct equipment at hand (because sometimes the items can be quite random!); distractions from siblings or the pets or the sound of a truck outside, and also just blatant disinterest in the work, are only a few of the hurdles we have to face. Another reason why I think that live online sessions have also been mostly abandoned for the little ones.
All in all, a difficult ask if, for example, you’ve only got one solid hour to dedicate to school work.
So trust me, when you pop your child in front of a screen during this trying time, just so that you can get at least two hours of work done – I’d be the last person to judge you.
With the endless possibilities of on-demand shows available to us, it’s easy to press play on Paw Patrol – starting at season 1, episode 1 and hoping that it runs all the way to the end so that you can finish your month-end report.
But the question remains: How much screen time is too much?
I’ve seen varied articles on the internet ranging from a limit of less than sixty minutes per day for pre-schoolers to articles stating that it doesn’t really cause that much harm.
While the majority of them concur that excessive screen time is not good, with the situation we’re all currently in, many of us will admit that we are guilty of exceeding these time limits.
Now, don’t get me wrong. In no way am I advocating for everyone to throw caution to the wind and let your kids veg out in front of the TV all day. Not at all.
But while we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, the only thing that I can advocate for is balance. Everything in moderation.
We’re all adults with common sense. Innately we all know what is good and bad for our kids. But I know how easy it is to get carried away with work, especially when they’re sitting quietly (strange how they can concentrate on a TV show but not their school work, right?) and before you know it, two hours have already slipped by.
Here are a few pointers on how I manage screen time, when screen time is the only option:
- Instead of YouTube, put on YouTube Kids. It has none of those unexpected and sometimes inappropriate adverts popping up.
- Put on something educational. Depending on the age of your pre-schooler, there are actually some really good shows out there. Younger children love music and movement. Super Simple Songs is both educational and entertaining at the same time. Your older pre-schooler might enjoy a bit more structured learning. Dr Binocs has interesting topics like Why is the Ocean Salty? and Why is Pluto not a Planet? That being said, you would still need to vet each show before playing it for your children.
- Set boundaries. Tell them upfront that they’ll only be watching for a set time, so they’re not caught off-guard when you walk in to turn it off.
- Set a timer. Let them know that screen time is over when they hear that specific sound. Yes, there’ll still be tears and tantrums even if you made your terms clear in the beginning, but so be it.
- Try to follow screen time with some physical activity. If playing outdoors is not an option, allow them to throw or kick a ball (carefully) indoors. If it is possible, allow them to get some fresh air.
- Switch the TV off. And tell them only you’re allowed to turn it on again.
- Make plans with them for their next screen time session. Tell them, for example, that they’ll be allowed to watch two episodes of their favourite show after supper. And that they’ll be able to watch another few shows the next day, after school work has been done.
In my experience, they will soon enough find something else to occupy themselves with when the television is off. Yes, I know, they’ll be noisy and make working from home near impossible. But try to avoid the easy route and have a set screen time plan. And work your own working day around it.
