Wrexham’s children are changing, and local author Esther Evans has advice for those with child challenges this summer.
Screen Time
Over the summer holidays, many parents will have found getting their children to listen to them and follow instructions harder than ever. There are many good reasons for this, including an increase in the amount of screen time young children are exposed to. With so many apps and screen gadgets aimed at the baby and child market, it’s easy to fall into the technology trap. The current NHS guidelines state:
No more than two hours of screen time a day… and all children should have at least some screen-free days a week. However, the latest report from OFCOM states that 17% of three to four-year-olds have a smartphone, and 32% of five to seven-year-olds use social media independently.
Top Tips
Although there are benefits to us all being connected through screens, there is a lot of new research emerging about the toxic effects of screens on our children’s mental health. Too much, like any other addiction, can significantly change the way children listen, focus, follow simple instructions, develop new language and sleep. It can even affect our eating habits.
My top tips are:
- Get outside every day, no matter what the weather. It’s the antidote to screen time.
- If you use screens, use an app to filter the blue light (which can light up the addictive part of the brain).
- Limit screen time. It sounds obvious, but it can be much harder to do in practice.
In the new book, Children Have Changed, there are plenty of ways to use screens without affecting your child’s behaviour. The book also thoroughly explains why parenting and teaching are more challenging than ever. Since the pandemic, many aspects of society have changed. Consequently, more children are experiencing delays in speech, language and attention skills. September is a great time to start setting new routines, so grab your copy, available on Amazon, to make sure you give your child the very best start as they go back to school.
Use this affiliate link to purchase the book and support Love Wrexham at no extra cost to you: amzn.to/3XddbBr
About Esther Evans
Esther Evans is an early years educator with over 30 years of experience working with young children, most of it in Wrexham. She has been a teacher, Foundation phase leader, training officer, and Early Education manager and currently works for Wrexham Council as an Early Years Inclusion Officer. She is a parent and a grandparent.
We hope you enjoyed “Wrexham’s children are changing”. Click here for more book features.
