Frank and I have watched the
documentary, Captivated and it has made us aware of just how pervasive screen time is in our
own lives. We are far below the average statistics that claim; the
average 8- to 10-year-old spends nearly eight hours a day with a
variety of media. Yet, how often do I put on a DVD for Sabrina just
to have a break then later realize she's watched it two or three
times before I tell her to turn it off? Or let Alex play on Lego
website without time limits only to hear him talk about nothing else
the rest of the evening? Or I read blogs or get on pinterest “for a
few minutes” that turns into hours?
The American Academy of
Pediatrics recommends a limit of the amount of total entertainment
screen time to less than two hours a day and discourages all screen
media exposure for children under age 2. Though our family's media
time is far less than average it often exceeds their recommendations.
We have already experienced the
benefits of less media since Alex has been grounded. He is playing in
the back yard more, reading more, coloring, riding his bike, talking
with us more, using his imagination more... In fact, Alex and Sabrina
used their dress up clothes and put on a spontaneous play for us.
Some of the the things we have planned
for January are; a neighborhood party, story-time, parks, playing in
the backyard, reading, homemade play dough, painting, puzzles, games,
events at the library, science experiments, puppet shows, dramas....
I do plan to blog about the experience.
I am excited to start this adventure knowing that it won't all be
smooth sailing; I am home with the kids all day and it is so easy
to pop in a DVD to get a break. It is our hope that this experiment
will bring us closer to one another and that when it is over we will
be able to set clear boundaries on our media consumption.
Marie-Anne
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