Children and adults are involved in a new technological world that has brought benefits and challenges to everyday life. Adults are working longer hours, even though there are many ways of reducing their workload. Most families have two working parents, housing is expensive, inflation is high and so are stress levels. These challenges can also impact children.
Screen time is a challenge for all parents. Not only do we have smart televisions, gaming, computers, online shopping, apps, video games and chat rooms, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to implement restrictions on screen time for children. Making time for outside play, sport, extracurricular activities and homework is demanding, which involves organisation and scheduling.
Screen time is very manageable when you have boundaries in place. When there are no boundaries or rules around gaming, the lines can become blurred, and children have a hard time understanding the concept of time. It should be scheduled into the family routine in short bursts. Long sessions can make it difficult for children to then stop when you ask. They need to know what, when and how; meaning the duration they can play, when they can play and what else needs to be done before they can access screen time.
Organising a plan may seem excessive, however children learn best, and can self regulate better when they know the process. Once the routine or plan is in place, your child will be clear about the expectations and boundaries surrounding it. Involving your child in the negotiation process will give ownership and empower them. They are far more likely to follow the plan if they have been part of its design and implementation.
Estelle can provide clients with schedule development, implementing boundaries and plans for your family. She believes that a collaborative family approach works best, when all members are involved in developing the schedule. This will allow your week to run smoothly and reduce the occurrence of escalating behaviour and meltdowns when screen time or other activity time is complete. Estelle can also provide families with strategies to implement at home when negotiating schedules and the implementation of relevant language and vocabulary to use when negotiating.
If you would like to learn more about how Estelle can help support your family, please make an appointment.