Jj is for Jottings 92.  Managing Children’s Screen Time.

The easiest way to manage children’s screen time is to avoid screens altogether as much as possible, by providing alternative activities. Rory, the foal, is looking over Amy’s shoulder, trying to read “Aa is for Alpacas” with Amy, Zack and Zara.

This article on managing children’s screen time follows on from the effects of screen time on children and parents’ screen time.

SUGGESTIONS FOR MANAGING CHILDREN’S SCREEN TIME.

This has already been covered in the previous article.

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Jj is for Jottings 91.  Parents’ Screen Time.

This follows on from the effects of screen time on children.  Before we go into the topic of how to limit our children’s screen time, we need to look to parents’ screen time.

No parents’ screen time here. This “parent” has his full attention on the “child”, complete with eye contact. Good parenting skills, David.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENTS’ SCREEN TIME AND CHILDREN’S SCREEN TIME.

Studies from the University of Bristol show that the amount of time a child spends on a screen is closely associated with their parents’ own habits.  They found that children were 3.4 times more likely to spend more than 2 hours a day watching television if their parents did the same.  This is when compared with children whose parents watched less TV.  The statistic carries over into other screen types as well. Continue reading

Jj is for Jottings 90.  The Effects of Screen Time on Children.

Avoiding the effects of screen time on children – Zara, Amy, Seth and Zack reading “Aa is for Alpacas” AND outside.

By now, there have been many studies done on the effects of screen time on children.  My own observations on this subject are here and here.  And here is an article on parental concerns about screen time.  So, let’s have a look at some of the recent research. Continue reading

1. Shanti decided she would jump onto Glenn’s back to get a good view of the toenail cutting. 2. “A good position – I think I’ll sit down.” 3. Settled in to watch the full performance.

Jj is for Jottings 35. Comments Made By Experienced Teachers.

Following are some observations I have made and some comments made by experienced teachers in the last couple of years. I find that experienced teachers have an excellent understanding of what enhances learning and what undermines learning, partly because of their long experience Continue reading

Yet more new neighbours. First the triplets were born, and they were followed by twins. They often all play together. They were racing towards me in the second picture, but by the time the camera had actually clicked, they had turned and were off in the opposite direction! Very difficult to get 5 active lambs in the one picture, so I gave up.

Jj is for Jottings 11: Adult Attention Span, Part 2.
In Part 1 we talked about the reduced attention span caused by the devices people use to try and stay connected, and of course all of that applies to people of ages who would have smartphones, not to young children. However it does apply to young children, because they can suffer from lack of attention from the adults around them in all the ways mentioned previously. Continue reading

Jj is for Jottings 10: Adult Attention Span, Part 1.

Here are some disquieting – but not surprising – statistics about paying attention.
According to the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (in the U.S.), the average attention span has dropped from 12 seconds in 2000 to 8 seconds in 2013. Continue reading