What’s New in Psychology?

Unstructured Play for Children More Important Than Screen Time    

Jim Windell

            My morning routine is well established. After a glass of water, I find an easy chair, let one of our dogs curl up on my lap, and check out the news on my iPhone. When I’ve read enough news, I see what text messages and emails have come in overnight. Then I take the dogs for a walk and come back and sit in front of my computer responding to emails.

            Throughout the day I will be sitting at my computer – often working on a new book. Later, after 6:00 pm, I watch the local and national news and then my wife and I will watch TV for a couple of hours after the news. In all, I perhaps log about eight or nine hours of screen time most days. But in between use of my phone, computer and TV, I walk and run and engage in various other kinds of exercise. Do I spend too much time in front of a screen?

            Very likely. But then I don’t have to worry about my brain not developing properly. I’m far beyond such concerns. However, if I had young children at home, I would have to be concerned about the behavior I was modeling. I would also have to make certain we were outside getting physical exercise together.

            Unfortunately, there are many parents who do not share my concerns about the balance between screen time and exercise for young children. Since we live right across the street from a high school football field and track, I can see on a daily basis how many parents bring their children to the field to run on the track or jump around in the sand pits. Actually, I see only a couple of families who regularly use the field – despite the fact that we live in an area where hundreds of children live. If they’re not using the high school field, what are they doing?

            We know the answer to that question, don’t we? They’re undoubtedly using cell phones, tablets, iPads, computers, gaming consoles and TV. The CDC estimates that by age 11, the average American child is spending 11 hours in front of a screen. This leaves precious little time for other things – like playing outside and reading books.

             So, while I don’t really have to remind you of all the evils of screen time for young children, the experts at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles recently posted a blog which includes some good information that I wanted to pass along to MPA members.

            Although children have never known life without screens and babies seem to come into this world with a built-in knowledge of how to navigate a smartphone and uses remotes, still on-going research reinforces for us just how important it is to monitor how much time kids spend consuming media to ensure their brains and bodies have proper time and space to develop. Despite the fact that keeping kids away from screens altogether is nearly impossible these days, still parents and caregivers must establish healthy boundaries and routines around media use that will ensure children can thrive as they grow.

           The experts at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles include Anya Griffin, Ph.D., Director of Psychology, Douglas Vanderbilt, M.D., M.S., M.B.A., Chief, Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, and Marian Williams, Ph.D., Program Area Lead for the Early Childhood Mental Health Program. In their blog, they offer the following advice:

            • Strictly limit all digital media use by children. This includes “background” activities like having the TV on or using your phone when your child is in the same room, which can disrupt the type of focused play that is most helpful for youngster’s developing brains. 

           • Video calls with family and friends are appropriate and should be encouraged.

           • Up to one hour per day of high-quality programming designed for the very young is appropriate.

           • To enrich a toddler’s screen-time experience, parents and caregivers should co-view shows with them. While co-viewing, answer questions and encourage conversations about the program’s content.

           • Establish clear boundaries around screen time that prioritize adequate sleep (9-12 hours) and physical activity (more than one hour a day).

           •  Work with teens to establish clear boundaries and a family plan that defines how long they should be using screens, where they can use screens and which types of content they can consume.

           • Teens, too, need adequate sleep (8-10 hours a night) and physical activity (more than one hour per day). 

           • Monitor teen's social media exposure and keep an eye on their online activities to protect them from potential risks.

           • Remember the power and importance of unstructured play for both children and teens.

          According to Dr. Anya Griffin: “We know that young children learn with their entire bodies. That’s the amazing thing about young brains.” She emphasizes that practicing gross motor activities (engaging the arms, legs and torso) is just as important for infants and toddlers as developing fine motor skills (using the hands and wrists).

          “When play is unstructured, children take the lead,” adds Dr. Marian Williams. “They explore the characteristics of different objects, try out activities to learn what happens, and use toys and other objects in new ways. This type of exploration builds connections in the brain through problem solving, new experiences and hypothesis testing.”

          Dr. Williams explains that this kind of play also requires active engagement from children, which helps build their attention span. She says that young children learn the most when the activity has a social component. Thus, one of the most important types of unstructured play for infants and toddlers involves back-and-forth interactions with a caring and attentive adult.

          “There is something to be said about making space for exploring new hobbies and activities that don’t require screens,” Dr. Griffin concludes. “Kids should have a variety of opportunities for practicing social interactions and self-regulation through a balance of activities.”

           To read the original blog, find it at:

https://d.newswise.com/articles/screen-time-guidelines-for-kids-at-every-age-experts-weigh-in