{"id":1185,"date":"2015-05-04T11:24:27","date_gmt":"2015-05-04T15:24:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/earlychildhoodnyc.org\/newswatch\/?p=1185"},"modified":"2015-05-04T11:24:27","modified_gmt":"2015-05-04T15:24:27","slug":"unplug-for-screen-free-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/earlychildhoodny.org\/blog\/unplug-for-screen-free-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Unplug for Screen-Free Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tFor the second year in a row, Informal Family Child Care (IFCC)<\/span><\/a> and Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood<\/span><\/a> have partnered together to celebrate Screen Free Week<\/span><\/a> — which takes place every year from May 4 – 10th<\/sup>.  The goal is to unplug from our digital gadgets and spend free time playing, reading, daydreaming, creating, exploring, and connecting with family and friends.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tYoung children learn best by interacting with people and exploring the world using their developing senses. The use of media and technology to engage, entertain and occupy children is a reality in many child care environments and can be challenging to manage. In the latest edition of Connections in Early Learning<\/span><\/a>, we explored the impact of technology and screen time on children, and offered strategies for reducing this time.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThe following information is excerpted from Facing the Screen Dilemma: Young Children, Technology and Early Education<\/em><\/span><\/a> – a guide published by The Committee for a Commercial Free Childhood (CCFC)<\/span><\/a> about the use, impact and reduction of screen time for young children. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThe Committee for a Commercial Free Childhood (CCFC)<\/span><\/a> works for the rights of children to grow up—and the freedom for parents to raise them—without being undermined by commercial interests. We advocate for policies to protect children from harmful marketing and promote commercial-free time and space for kids about the use, impact and reduction of screen time for young children. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tSmartphones, tablets, e-books, and more – the explosion of new screen devices offers both possibilities and challenges for families today.  When should children be introduced to screens?  How much time should they spend with screens?  Is screen time helpful or harmful to children’s brain development?  Does content matter?  There’s not much research about new technologies and children—but there are some things we do know.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tIn order to thrive, young children need healthy food, shelter, and plenty of positive interactions with the people who love them.  They benefit from being talked to, read to, and played with and learn best from hands-on, creative play.  They also need time outside and with nature.  These early experiences build important life skills like creativity, compassion, curiosity, and problem solving.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tWHY AVOID OR LIMIT SCREEN TIME? RESEARCH TELLS US: <\/u><\/span>\n<\/p>\n