Parents should use it directly and balance it with physical activities and games
For the pedagogist Karla Lacerda, director of the Colégio Progresso Bilíngue Santos, technology should not be seen as the villain of the excessive use of screens (mobile phones, tablets and TVs) by children, but as a learning tool.
“It is always important to understand that technology is part of our daily lives and is not the villain of the story. We must learn to deal with it and use it in the best possible way for our individual and social development and that of our children,” she says.
Because children also use screens to communicate with their peers, do research and learn other knowledge. Whatever the goal, parents should monitor this usage, Karla adds.
“They end up communicating with colleagues in person and through games and social networks. But, in addition to quantity, it is very important that parents also look at the quality of this exhibition.”
Too much exposure is harmful
When the line is crossed, Karla recognizes that children’s social-emotional and physical development is harmed.
“There are cognitive aspects that can be affected by excessive use of the screen. We are talking about learning disabilities, increased impulsivity and decreased physical abilities, when the child stays in the same position for a long time. And their social skills are also reduced, because there is no exchange of experiences with other children,” she points out.
The pedagogical director of Early Childhood Education at the Escola Lourenço Castanho, Fabia Antunes, states that technological devices are an excellent resource for optimizing teaching-learning moments, as long as there is planning.
“We teach and show children and teenagers how to use them correctly. The school works with students on the concept of digital citizenship,” she says.
The decision is familiar
Alexandre Le Voci Sayad, educator and media consultant of Lourenço Castanho, reminds us that children and adolescents’ contact with their cell phones is, first and foremost, a family decision.
“This is a recent and controversial issue. The cell phone went from hero to villain in a short time. This is largely due to the advancement of device technology, which is increasingly engaging and platforms, such as social networks, are more attractive, not only for children and teenagers, but also for adults,” says Alexandre.
To prevent children from using mobile devices too much, parent educator Stella Azulay, founder of Juntos Educação, advocates building emotional bonds from an early age.
“Connecting with your child is the only way for parents to truly establish good dialogue and a positive influence. This connection transforms the family relationship into a healthy relationship, based on effective communication,” she says.
The answer lies in the technology itself
And if technology isn’t the problem, it can be part of the solution. To balance the use of screens at home, the family needs to think about games and physical activities with the help of the Internet.
“What can be done, and what is very effective, is for parents to sit down with their children and plan the things they will do. Let the children use technology to look up interesting facts about the city and the family can take a tour based on the itinerary they created,” suggests Karla.
As an alternative to screens, physical activities are important. Sports, walking and board games are fun alternatives for children. One of these is when one of the parents organizes a “treasure hunt”, hiding a family heirloom (photo album or some object that belonged to the ancestors). When it is found, the parents tell the story of this object.
“The big strategy for getting kids away from screens is something that involves the whole family, so that new relationships can be built,” he says.
In this sense, the “Tell your story to your child” box set by Stella contains 100 cards, each containing a question on a passage in the parents’ lives in childhood, adolescence and youth, which can be used by parents to strengthen bonds with children.
“Sharing personal stories has a huge impact on children’s life messages,” the author said.
In order for children to spend less time in front of screens, Karla emphasizes that parents need to set an example.
“If parents come home tired from work and have half an hour or an hour to spend with their children, let them do so with their full attention. There is no point in asking your child to leave social media if one of the parents does not log off from it either. They also need to free themselves from the routine of cell phone use,” she concludes.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.