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This year, I wrote some pieces related to the American Academy of Pediatrics new recommendations for screen time allotments for children (Brown, Shifrin, & Hill, 2015; Shifrin et al., 2015). To round out 2015, I have written a closing poem of sorts that others may find practical, semi-lyrical as well as humorous.
An "Attempted" End of 2015 Screen Time Rhyme
The AAP made new suggestions about kids and screen time.
It never hurts to have new tools to allocate this common past time.
For as the digital age spreads and continues,
How do parents make sense of researchers suggestive menus?
I, myself wear the cap of parent and role model,
With independence building and limited efforts to coddle.
I try to set screen time limits for her!
I try to set work screen limits for me!
Some days I want to tie the darn TV to a tree.
They say be involved and limit our use,
while attentive face time appears not to reduce,
quality talking and chatting
yet increases the battles of "Five MORE minutes!" we all are combatting.
Learn from each other
and talk to one another.
For passive videos alone,
Can lead to language development becoming as a lesser known.
Content in their shows matter,
Not the cool visual elements served on a device platter.
Quality on any platform is a priority,
Not set by a timer allocated through parental authority.
Be engaged with your kin!
AAP recommends family time should win!
Co-viewing is the secret key,
You can access with your toddler resting comfortably on your knee.
As my daughter continues to grow to a teen,
one day she will want to be online
And in front of a screen.
I take my advice, practice, and training,
to show her and you
all the positive things from screen time we can be gaining.
Wishing my readers the happiest of New Years!
Sources:
Brown, A., Shifrin, D., & Hill, D. (2015, October 1). Beyond 'turn it off': How to advise families on media use. Retrieved October 2, 2015. http://aapnews.aappublications.org/content/36/10/54.full (link is external)
Shifrin, D., Brown, A., Hill, D., Jana, L., & Flinn, S. K. (2015). Growing Up Digital: Media Research Symposium.
