Baby It's Cold Outside!

It is here, that white fluffy stuff and lots of it! It has arrived a little earlier than we all would like I think I can safely say.  Snow, blowing and drifting, sub-zero temperatures all make us desire to hibernate and retreat inside!  If this winter is anything like last winter we will be spending a lot of time hunkered down in our homes.  When this happens, often our go to activity is to allow more TV, movies, computer games or other technology to keep the kids occupied and the parents sane.  Even infants are sometimes placed in front of the TV to watch an educational video, or toddlers are offered mom’s phone or the iPad to play a game.  It seems harmless and in some cases even good for our kids’ right?  The fact is the American Pediatric Association has recommended that children under the age of two should not be exposed to any screen time at all during this critical time of brain formation. Many studies have revealed that, extensive exposure to screens can lead to attention problems, school difficulties, sleep and eating disorders and obesity.  There has even been a link to “background media exposure” (ie. times when the TV is just on but no one is really watching) leading to some of these same effects. Some studies have linked fast-paced children’s cartoons to affecting a child’s executive functioning.  What is executive functioning anyway?  Executive functioning is the process that enables us to plan, initiate and complete an activity while controlling temper, maintaining attention and responding to feedback from others. For preschoolers, this is a critical school readiness skill that paves the way for learning academic skills such as letters, and number concepts.

So as the flakes fall and blow and the winter season becomes a reality, plan ahead for ways to fill your days.  There is NO better way to build your child’s brain than through quality interactions with you and other caregivers.  Here are some ideas to fill your days:

 PLAY OUTSIDE: Get the whole family suited up with the proper clothing to spend a little time outside.  Outside of extreme harsh temperatures, getting outside in the winter is good for everyone!, Pull your child in a sled, build a snowman, dig in the snow, make snow balls to throw, look for animal  tracks and fill your yard with snow angels!

 CREATE: There are many ways to create things with your young child, stock up with some art supplies, glue, glitter, crayons, paper, pipe cleaners, beads etc.  Stock up on the ingredients to bake cookies together or make some homemade play dough, add in some scents such as peppermint or other spices to add interest to your creation.  Build forts and communities from materials around the house for Barbie’s, other super heroes, or farm animals to live. Cut pictures and letters out of magazines and glue onto paper or in a book.  

DO THINGS TOGETHER: If you know that a snow day is on the horizon, make a stop at the library and stock up on some special books to read for that day.  It is good for your child to hear stories over and over again so if they ask for it, please oblige! Work on puzzles together, or make your own out of used cereal boxes and cut them up into different shapes that will fit together.  Write an old-fashion letter to a loved one, where your child tells you what they want to say and you write the words; enclose a special picture and get it ready to put in the mailbox! Play a board game.  Get moving, by putting on some music and dancing together, follow your child’s moves—you might learn some new ones!

Of course there may be a time to cuddle up and enjoy a favorite movie together but overall planning ahead for some back up activities will in the long run be more beneficial for both you and your child.  If you are interested in learning more about the effects of screens on the development of young children here is an article that highlights the research and recommendations specific to children under the age of three 

: http://www.zerotothree.org/parenting-resources/screen-sense/screen-sense_key-research-finds_final3.pdf

This blog post was submitted by Cheryl Granzo, Director of Early Childhood Programs for Ionia ISD.