Preschool Without Screen Time

 Preschool is the foundation to big school and life-long social skills for your little one. Playing with toys and pretending amongst peers is so important. We want to give children the tools to speak and communicate to one another, apply teamwork when playing a game together, use large and small body reflexes during physical activities, to have the ability to express one’s feelings when they are having an emotional day, problem solve and communicate within a group of children their own age and use conflict resolution to resolve their differences peacefully.
Computers, iPads and tablets are not something you are going to see in a proper preschool environment. They do not, in any way, enhance your child’s imagination, teach manners or give them opportunities to be successful in socializing or give their bodies the opportunity to work all parts of the body to cross midline. Crossing midline is the ability to move one’s hands, feet, and eyes not only together, but across and to the other side of the body. Crossing midline requires the involvement of many skills including: body awareness, hand-eye coordination, muscular strength, and most importantly brain communication.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests using this guide to help limit screen time among children:
• For children younger than 18 months, avoid use of screen media other than video-chatting. Parents of children 18 to 24 months of age who want to introduce digital media should choose high-quality programming, and watch it with their children to help them understand what they’re seeing.
• For children ages two to five years, limit screen use to one hour per day of high-quality programs. Parents should co-view media with children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.
• For children ages six and older, place consistent limits on the time spent using media, and the types of media, and make sure media does not take the place of adequate sleep, physical activity and other behaviors essential to health.
• Designate media-free times together, such as dinner or driving, as well as media-free locations at home, such as bedrooms.
• Have ongoing communication about online citizenship and safety, including treating others with respect online and offline.
At Creative Years we have a no television, computer, tablet and phone policy with our children and our staff. We suggest that our parents not be on their phones at drop off and pick up time to be able to communicate with their teachers and children. To help promote imagination, all our toys are battery free!
Creative Years Infant Center and Preschool has been serving families in SCV for over 35 years. Call to schedule a tour at 661-254-0718 or visit our web site for a virtual tour and more information www.creativeyears.com. You can also find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/creativeyears.