Limiting Screen Time
I was recently interviewed by folks from Michele Obama's initiative for preschools, called "Let's Move!" As part of her program to overcome obesity in children, one of the key points of Let's Move! is limiting screen time. They were interviewing in-home providers who have been succesful in limiting screen time or those that are screen free.
Children want to be in movement. Never having had "screens" as part of our LifeWays/Waldorf program for 1-5 year olds, I had to think about what makes it possible--the differences with conventional programs. Here are some of the key points that make for an enriched program:
~ We are set up for free play--everything invites the children's imaginative play.
~ This makes it easy to do focused activities with smaller groups.
~ We have two 45-minute periods of outside play, which includes not only large-motor activities, but things like gardening, walks, moving wood, and so forth.
~ LifeWays' emphasis on including the children in "The Living Arts" means that they help with food preparation, setting and clearning the table, doing the dishes, folding the laundray, and so forth. We're not trying to "buy time" in which to get things done.
~ There is a dynamic rhythm and daily schedule that breathes with the children.Long periods of movement (free play or outside time) are punctuated by shorter periods of sitting at the table or listening to a story. Activities such as movement game circles are half-way in between--moving, but requiring the children to focus on what we're doing.
When the American Academy of Pediatricians recommended no screen time for children under 2 years of age and limited time for preschoolers, they got a lot of flack from parents who "needed" the time that it bought them. I think this is because they are trying to "on" all the time, entertaining their children. A real key is involving the children in The Living Arts, which include nurturing, domestic, creative and social activities--the stuff of everyday life. I was glad to hear that this government agency was also working to help childcare providers (and parents) limit screen time!
