Right-Side Back Row Spiking
The Key to Success is to Look towards the Past
Kaushik Chatterjee
Electronic devices are a gateway to an incredible world of apps and various resources. Often, we don’t think twice before letting a kid watch some TV or use a phone to play a game. But excessive use of these devices could harm the development of young children, and cause them to miss certain developmental targets. In the article “Too much screen time for young kids can hurt development, study suggests”, David Bell explores the negative effects electronics have upon children and what parents can do to minimize the impacts. The article follows a report from the University of Calgary and the University of Waterloo titled “Association Between Screen Time and Children’s Performance on a Developmental Screening Test”.
The study reviewed the habits of 2,500 families with children between the ages of 2-5 in Calgary. The study found that, on average, two-year-olds had 2.5 hours of screen time a day, three-year-olds had 3.5 hours, and five-year-olds had 1.5 hours (partly due to them beginning school). This is way over the threshold of 1-hour of ‘high quality programming’ (i.e. any program with an element of learning) a day The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends. The report found that “kids who had a higher amount of screen time were less likely to meet developmental targets”. These included deficiencies and delays in language, communication, motor skills, and socioemotional health; kids starting kindergarten hadn’t achieved certain developmental milestones that were necessary.
How can we reduce the amount of time kids spend on devices? Electronics are everywhere we go – from our house to schools to the Doctor’s office; it is important to control the usage of these devices whenever and wherever we can. Paul Davis, an Online safety and social media educator, says there should be “[n]o devices at breakfast, lunch and dinner tables. We are going to focus on each other, we are going to respect each other, we are going to talk to each other.” Davis also says to avoid using any devices 1 hour before going to bed, and that the bedroom should be a screen-free area. The best thing a parent can do is to lead by example and encourage quality time online: there should be “productivity screen time, not zombie screen time. Looking at a screen, flicking your finger up, looking at and liking the next picture, that’s zombie time.” Use screen time more as a means of a reward, where kids can use their devices after they’ve finished their homework or chores.
The best way to cut down screen time for kids is to enroll them in engaging and rewarding activities. There is a myriad of different activities for kids, but arguably the most beneficial are sports, particularly team sports. Team sports teach kids the importance of collaboration, communication, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving — some of the most valuable skills in life. Sports improve your memory, coordination, and fitness, all while boosting your self-esteem and confidence. This is what Pakmen is all about: developing and improving a child’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Volleyball is a great sport for anyone due to its high engagement and energy. It teaches kids the value of teamwork and goal-setting while improving not just their athleticism, but their cognitive ability (studies have shown that kids who were involved in volleyball performed better in school, and improved their concentration, memory, and overall brain activity). Letting your kids learn and develop at Pakmen ensures that kids spend their time in a meaningful and constructive way, and gain valuable skills which apply to all areas of life.
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