How to embrace technology while limiting your child’s screen time
BREAKING NEWS… parenting is no joke! There’s no day off, there is no clocking out, it is all-day-every-day, hardest job you’ll ever love sorta’ gig. Sometimes it feels like you are barely holding on...
So of course as a parent, you are going to look for convenient ways to entertain and occupy your little one so you can indulge in luxuries like running a comb through your hair. But before you reach for the iPad, smart TVs, or other digital babysitters, ask yourself…
“What forms of technology are safe when it comes to my child’s developing brain?”
Are Screens Safe?
According to a recent report from the World Health Organization :
“…infants under 1 year old should not be exposed to electronic screens and that children between the ages of 2 and 4 should not have more than one hour of sedentary screen time each day. Limiting, and in some cases eliminating, screen time for children under the age of 5 will result in healthier adults.”
Shhhhh… there-there…I know, that’s pretty alarming news… But before you throw a temper tantrum over technology separation anxiety, I have a great tech-based alternative way for you to entertain your youngsters.
Welcome to Kids Podcasts!
So how can you follow these guidelines and keep your child’s eyes away from screens without feeling like you’ve walked onto the set of Little House on the Prarie?… PODCASTS!!!
There is quality audio content for children of all ages available at your fingertips. Any smart device you own can play podcasts. Next time you load up your kids in the car for a quick commute or a long road trip, turn on the Bluetooth and sing along to a family-friendly musical. Or if you are at home eating breakfast ask Alexa to play a fairytale. Children can even unwind with a cozy bedtime story while resting their eyes. All of these podcast options are great ways to nourish your child’s developing brain, while still embracing the convenience of technology.
If you are looking for a database to browse kid shows, check out Kids-Listen a grassroots organization made up of children’s podcasters. Here are a few recommendations:
Story Spectacular:
Shameless plug here for my own show, because I am so very passionate about offering fun creative content for kiddos. Story Spectacular features, original stories as well as classic fairy tales with a twist. Set sail with Polly the Kid Pirate, Laugh along to funny jokes with Digger the Dog, sing and dance to the beat with Boppin Birdie. I offer stories for a variety of age ranges from 2 to 8 as well as Sleepy Time Tales and Road Trip Mixes.
Noodle Loaf
This show is so out of the box fun. Parents and children alike will enjoy Dan Saks’s catchy tunes and amusing games. My top three favorite episodes of Noodle Loaf are: Some Drums Bap, Duck Truck Goose, and Dingo Bingo Bongo. This interactive show does such a great job fostering creativity. Your child can even send in a vocal recording to be a part of the Noodle Loaf choir!
What If World
Mr. Eric Okeefe takes questions from real-life listeners like: What if popcorn could talk?, or What if tigers lost their stripes? or What if babysitters sat on babies? Then he creates original stories with a positive message all in the wacky realm of What if World.
The Past & The Curious
Parents, this one is a treat for you too! The Past & The Curious is a kid-friendly history-themed podcast from author, historian, and musician Mick Sullivan. He covers everything from the history of Cartoons, to Shipwrecks and even SPIES(seriously who doesn’t love spy stories).
A lot of great options right? But wait… There’s more!!!
A case for calm
Dr. Fiona Bull from the WHO stated …
“…ensuring quality sleep in young children will improve their physical, mental health and well-being and help prevent childhood obesity and associated diseases later in life,”
Guess what? There are podcasts for that too!
It’s true! Your child can learn mindfulness and calming techniques from a podcast. They can cultivate these skills from a young age and carry them into adulthood. Help your child unwind and drift off to dreamland with these offerings:
Peace Out
Peace Out is a mindfulness podcast for children. Host Chanel Tsang guides listeners through relaxing stories and incorporates gentle movement and breathing techniques. Favorites include: Create Constellations, Sleepy ZZZZZ, and Peaceful Pirates.
Be Calm on Ahway Island
The perfect bedtime companion, the team behind Be Calm on Ahway Island offers children relaxing stories with powerful messages of encouragement. Ahway island is home to caring cars, friendly forest animals and even silly sea creatures. Take in a deep dragon breath and dream the night away.
Little Stories for Tiny People
It’s like a cozy blanket for your ears. Rhea Prechter has one of my favorite voices in podcasting. Highlights include: Little Hedgehog Goes to School, Mouse Makes a Pizza and Little Bear Goes over the Hill. No matter which little story you choose, each one is filled with warmth and would make a great addition to any tiny person’s bedtime routine.
Kid & tech-friendly choices
Limiting screen time, encouraging sleep and movement will allow our children to be more happy and healthy. Podcasts can be a convenient and engaging way to entertain kids with the added benefit of fostering creativity, mindfulness, and empathy. Happy healthy children mean a happy healthy world. The answer is to rest our eyes and open our ears.
