Electronic screen products have become children’s common learning media in recent years. To avoid excessive "screen time" activities, Department of Health suggests:• For children age 2 or below, avoid letting them in contact with any

screen products• For children age 2-5, there should be no more than 1 hour of

sedentary screen time per day

Screen Time for Your Kids:Mind the Kind and the Time

Screen time for children is inevitably increased when they stay at home, whether it is related to homeschooling, social connection via video chats, or pastime in times of pandemic. While taking all steps to limit the time on screen, how do parents choose the right screen products & activities to make learning effective? You may consider the “3 Cs” below:

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Choose according to the child’s age, abilities & preferences

Review the child’s performance from time to time

Parent is the most important context!

Young children can learn better if adults co-view with

additional explanations, questions & application of the content into daily life

Quality of the screen activity counts:

Appropriate content……

• Attracts & engages

children• Involves interactive

elements that keep children in minds-on modee.g. with pauses to give the child time to respond/ explain with real life circumstances

• Is meaningful to childrene.g. relevant to the child's life, with a coherent story theme, or narrated by a familiar

cartoon character

• Encourages real-life social

interaction

Inappropriate content ……

• Has too many distracting & non-essential contents e.g. sudden pop-up images or graphics

• keeps the child in “auto-pilot”/ minds-off mode with meaningless actionse.g. pressing screen button repeatedly

• Is too abstract for children to understand

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How effective is the learning?

Is he interested in the screen activity?

Parents are suggested to consider the “4 Ss” below to prevent problems

arising from screen use:

1. Stay with Rules without Overuse

2. Stay Healthy with Routines

Set simple rules with your child beforehand about how screen products are used, e.g. when & where to use, time limit & the rules, including "no screen“-time & -location

Rules

• Ask Dad / Mom before using

• No screen use during dinner & at night

• Only be used in living room

Give prior reminder / prompt before the end of the screen activity in a way that the child can understand

Protect the eyes: choose larger screens, ensure the room is well lit, maintain a proper sitting position & viewing distance, etc.; you may refer to the Healthy use of Internet and Electronic Screen Products of the Department of Health for details

Establish routine for your child beyond screen time & arrange something fun to avoid overuse; click Having Fun with Your Kids While Stuck at Home to know more

Don't forget to exercise at home! You may try the Parent-Child Physical Games recommended by StartSmart@school.hk with your kids

I’ll switch it off when the programmeends.

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3. Stay Away from “Electronic Pacifier”

If a child must rely on devices to settle negative emotions & idling time, he cannot learn to regulate emotion & develop self-control

Review your ways on child discipline & replace screen use by alternative activities & rewards; you may discuss with other family members & seek support from professionals. Refer to these leaflets to know more about child discipline

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4. Set a Role Model

Put away your device during parent-child activities in order to let yourself fully engage with your child & to show your child healthy

ways to use electronic devices Be aware of the patterns & attitudes on screen

use of your own & those of your family members, communicate among yourselves with mutual respects &

come up with acceptable screen use practices for your child

Do you often use screen without realizing it? Are you distracted by the electronic messages which keep you from engaging with your child?

Do you often leave the TV on & allow your child to access to screen, or watch inappropriate programs?

FHS-P33A(May 2020)

Use to settle & reward my child’s behaviour?

When our emotion goes up & down?

When I’m tired? When my child is bored?

Discipline Your Toddler in a Positive Way Managing the Behaviour of your Preschooler I and II