There’s been a lot of buzz lately in regards to media and screen time. This is by no means a new issue. Since the dawn of the moving picture there has been hesitation as to the benefits or potentials harms. What is new is the easy access to screens especially at a younger and younger age. I’m not a psychologist nor any kind of specialist. I am a mother and a critical thinker. I’d like to share with you a little bit of our journey in the world of touch screens and ‘talkies’.
I myself have had a smart phone and a laptop for many years. My daughter has been around them since she was born. I took pictures of her with the phone and she participated in video chats with family from the start. I showed her pictures and videos of herself and family. The first time she held the phone and took pictures ushe was close to turning 1. The first time she watched a movie (all of about 15 mins until she turned to play with a toy) she was around the age of 2. Almost every day we read an ebook or two. We also generally watch a family movie together before bed. Occasionally my daughter watches a video on youtube as she is enamoured with dance. I also show her images of art works and we listen to a variety of music styles. Very rarely she does a letter or puzzle game on the tablet. This works for us.
I limited early exposure during early brain development. We also had very limited internet access during the first years and very little solar power. Having a large solar power source and a connection through the mobile network has changed a lot. I have a few simply philosophies that I’ve put together through research, experience and interest/need. I believe that shielding them is not truly protecting them. I am in favour of teaching my little one the responsible use of positive technology. It is in the end a tool, like any other. If I don’t accompany her through the process she is going to stumble upon and addictive game or tv series as examples. Secondly, when my daughter approaches me I put down the phone, away from us. There are times when I am doing research and I ask her to wait. These are rare times. It is important for me not to have a device in between us, so she knows she is my priority. Thirdly, ring or buzz away meal times are sacred. If you try to reach
us during those times I will not answer, ever.
As a society, as teachers, as parents and as examples we need to navigate through this latest phase of technology. As long as we keep a firm grasp of true lasting priorities and are honest with ourselves we’ll all be ok. What works for me won’t for the next person.💜
Resources:
The ebook shown in the above image is from My Inside Weather by Jen Thorpe, Lara Berge & Emma Beckett. This among many other wonderful stories can be downloaded for free on bookdash.org
The following is a short list of our favourite media sources:
Literature:
bookdash.org
freekidsbooks.org
childrensbooksforever.com/
maguare.gov.co/leer/
Arts:
artsandculture.google.com
Dance:
youtube.com
Movies:
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008)
The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
My Neighbor Totoro (1998)
Fairy Tale: A True Story (1997)
Esencia Adaptivore 