Screen time can be a contentious topic for parents. Many are both for and against allowing kids to use screens and devices to keep their minds occupied. However, as much as screens can be detrimental to kids’ development, they can also be a valuable tool that helps you help your child learn more and build skills that help them learn and grow.
While it’s important to limit screen time to encourage the development of face-to-face skills, it’s equally important to recognise that screens can be a valuable tool in your child’s learning journey. It’s all about finding the right balance. The trick is in what they use devices for and how they’re incorporated into your lifestyle for added benefits, not to detract from their life.
Let’s take a look at some ways screen time can be valuable for kids and what some of the benefits can be.
Skill Building
There’s no denying that screens are a massive part of life everywhere nowadays, and allowing your children to become familiar with screens and explore digital work in a safe way can give them the tools they need to help them prepare for a future where they will be a massive part of everything. While they don’t need to use the devices 24/7, limited screen time can help them become more familiar with the technology they’re able to come into contact with as they explore the world.
Skills such as computer literacy, web design, website service, coding, graphic design and more are vital skills for future careers, and the more exposure your child has to the digital world, the easier they will develop skills they will use later in life.
Improved Literacy
Whether you are using reading apps, reading instructions within games like Minecraft or Roblox, using language learning apps, or simply learning to search for results on different topics, screen time can be beneficial for literacy as they are able to explore more diverse reading material, and this can be helpful with language development, selling comprehension and more.
Increase Creativity
Creativity is vital for kids’ development, and screen time can help them explore creativity in multiple ways. You can use drawing apps that allow them to create digital masterpieces they would like on paper or in physical mediums. Or they can use their imagination to build worlds in child-friendly games and plays. They can create music, stories and artwork or even design things like roller coasters, buildings, towns, and clothing. The more chances your kids get to be creative, the better it can be for their development, and screen time can be a great way to explore their creativity.
Plus, digital creativity is much harder and easier to clean up than tear it of glitter, which might find its way around your house and never be eradicated.
Memory
Playing games on screens can be a powerful way to boost memory and develop critical thinking and comprehension skills. There’s a wealth of games and apps available online that can help enhance your child’s memory and cognitive abilities.
Platforms like Memory Games for Kids and Cogmed can be beneficial for helping improve memory, as can using games such as mahjong, which force players to engage their brain to be able to complete the game and reach the conclusion.
Can Increase Physical Activity
The screen can be a factor in decreased activity in kids, and sitting there playing on devices will stop them from moving around more. This is a universally acknowledged fact, and it’s true in many instances.
However, when used correctly, screens and digital devices can actually help to get kids more active. By choosing content that is geared towards physical activity, such as exercise games like Just Dance or Wii Fit, you can help your kids be active while still using the screen for the best of both worlds. They can follow simple exercises within the app to help them play games or earn points. You can use apps for outdoor exploration, such as geocaching for older kids or family fun, or you can use apps to earn points for walking or even walking dogs, or your kids can track your movements within the app as you get them out and about and active.
The trick to making screens beneficial in kids’ lives is to be strategic about how and when they use them. When used for education purposes or to encourage physical activity, screens can be extremely beneficial in another department. The best part is that the apps and platforms you can use for these choices are geared toward being fun and interactive, encouraging kids to get involved and have fun.
