kidzmeadow2022

Is It Reasonable To Allow Your Child To Have A Gadget While Feeding?

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 09:30:56 GMT

"It is dinner time! Please put down the phone," said every parent in the 21st century. Unfortunately, those words resonate with so many of us who are just trying to get our children to put down their phones or tablets and at least pick up a fork. The million-dollar question is, "How bad can it be to allow your child to have a gadget while feeding?"

Ignoring Hunger Cues Due To The Distraction

We are talking about the kind of distraction where a child is so entranced by their device, that they do not seem to notice that the plate is in front of them. Luis Dubois, a renowned Biocultural expert, shares his findings from their research on the matter: "the time spent watching television, particularly during meal times, may change children's dietary intake and eating patterns." - Luis Dubois.

What does that mean? The distraction caused by these gadgets will make the children ignore their food and pay less attention to their body's hunger cues, hence leading to bad habits of overeating or not eating enough. This will translate to physical and mental health issues in the long run.

Discouraging C onversation And Social Interaction

Eating is a social activity and children need to learn how to interact with others during meal times. The age-old proverb goes, 'A family that eats together remains together.' It is not just a piece of old-fashioned advice but has much scientific backing. For example, J Fulkerson, a renowned professor & director of the Center for Child Health Promotion Research, states in their research that "Family meals may be a useful mechanism for enhancing family togetherness."

Table Manners

Children learn table manners by observing and participating in family meals. Allowing a child to use gadgets during meals can discourage good table manners and etiquette. It is basic etiquette that should be taught and learned at a very early age; otherwise, it can be hard to break the bad habits later on. Furthermore, it could lead to your children picking up some strange inappropriate table habits! For example, some food may fall on the device, or they might even spill their drinks on it. So, it is best to set some boundaries regarding gadget usage during meals.

Technology Addiction

"Can't put it down? Sounds like you've got a case of gadget-itis". Okay, jokes aside, there is nothing like gadget-itis (at least not according to the medical dictionary), but there is such a thing as technology addiction. And it is something that can be developed pretty quickly, especially if your child is already given too much access to gadgets. H.Sert, a renowned tech expert, again states in their findings that "academic success was negatively affected in students categorised as internet addicted and fatigue increased alongside technology addiction." So if you are worried about your child’s grades, it is high time to reconsider the amount of device usage in their lives.

To sum it all up, letting your children use gadgets sometimes is okay, but allowing them to have devices while eating may be harmful. It is essential to foster a positive family environment, teach them table manners and ensure that they pay attention to their hunger cues. Too much device usage can lead to technology addiction and poor academic performance, so it is best to set some boundaries regarding gadget use during meals.

References:

Fulkerson, J.A., Neumark-Sztainer, D., & Story, M.T. (2006). Adolescent and parent views of family meals. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 106 4, 526-32.
Veall, G.R. (1995). Prolonged starvation in pediatric surgery. Anaesthesia, 50.
Sert, H.T., Taskin Yilmaz, F., Karakoc Kumsar, A., & Aygin, D. (2019). Effect of technology addiction on academic success and fatigue among Turkish university students. Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior, 7, 41 - 51.

Five Tips for Parents to Support Their Child’s Development at Home

kidzmeadow.marcom@gmail.com (Sumarni Suaidi) — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 08:45:07 GMT

Your once tiny bundle of joy is growing at the speed of a wild Mustang, and sooner than you realise, they are up on their two feet exploring every nook and cranny of the house. Does this strike a chord? Well, buckle up, buttercup. It is time to shift gears and help them get the wings they need to soar high and wide.

Play With Your Child

We know it is hard, but magical things happen when you get to their level and start playing with them. Amongst all the fun and laughter, they strengthen their socio-emotional skills, learn about turn-taking, and start building better relationships.

“Through play, children can learn social interaction & build skills & interests to draw upon in the years to come.” - Wang, S. (2012)

Now, what is not to love? You can start by sampling a few toys, playing pretend games such as acting as a bus driver, dressing up a teddy bear and turning pretty much anything into a game.

Encourage Imagination and Creativity

Aha! We know what you are thinking. Imagination? What has that got to do with supporting my child? If this is your reaction, do not worry, you are not alone. But here is the deal – creativity is not just about painting and drawing. It is about problem-solving and thinking differently. Every once in a while, come up with fun challenges to help them think outside the box, like presenting them with a blank canvas or the empty corrugated delivery boxes and allowing their imaginations to run wild. You may be surprised by what your child will create!

Read to Your Child

Reading to your child, even when they cannot read themselves, helps them to develop a strong understanding of how the world works and encourages a love for literacy and analytical skills. It also gives them a leg up in life by introducing them to concepts, language, and stories they would not necessarily encounter elsewhere. So yes, grab a book and snuggle up. With that said, picture books bring more than just entertainment because of their colourful images and sometimes, funny rhymes. Images and colours trigger visual stimulation, and funny rhymes enhance language stimulation.

Give Your Child Responsibilities

We got to be realistic here. We are not talking about the heavy household chores. We suggest age-appropriate activities like picking up their toys after playing and placing their cutlery inside the washing basin. This practice helps to mould them to be responsible and independent.

Limit Screen Time

We know it is hard, but having too much screen time can damage your child's physical and mental health. Too much exposure to screens affects their concentration span, sleep patterns, learning, and overall well-being. That is why it is essential to set a routine for them and limit their time on their screens. Instead, focus on fun and engaging activities, like playing with clay or baking cookies.

Phew! No doubt, parenting is a full-time job, but getting involved in your child's development journey can be rewarding and enjoyable. We hope these ideas are helpful for you and help your child explore the world and make strides in life. Remember that each child is unique and grows at a different pace, so select activities that work well with your child. Cheers!

References

Wang, S. (2012, September 12). Play, stress, and the learning brain. NCBI - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23447798/
B, W. (2001). Beyond the pages of a book: Interactive book reading and language development in preschool classrooms. Journal of Educational Psychology, 93(2). https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0663.93.2.243
Janssen, X., & Martin, A. (2020, February). Associations of screen time, sedentary time and physical activity with sleep in under 5s: A systematic review and meta-analysis. NCBI. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31778942/

Meltdown Management 101

kidzmeadow.marcom@gmail.com (Sumarni Suaidi) — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 08:45:04 GMT

Do you have a son who yells in agony when you mention that it is time for bed? Does your daughter go into crisis mode when you tell her she cannot get the candies at the supermarket? If this sounds all too familiar, then congratulations! You are in an exclusive club called “Every Parent Ever.” Welcome.

One of the best things to understand about little ones entering meltdown mode is that it is entirely normal. Since these children have not yet developed the needed coping behaviour to handle their emotional state, the result is sometimes a good old-fashioned tantrum. Any parents out there who are beating themselves up over their toddler’s behaviour can officially cut themselves some slack. So parents, please do yourself this favour.

Understanding that this is normal behaviour is great, but do you know what to do with them? Read on.

Stay Calm:

Tough as it may be, speaking to your child in a clear, calm and soothing tone will help them to feel safe and will, in turn, de-escalate tense situations and reduce negative emotions. Save the yelling for when you are at home and can find an appropriately sized pillow to absorb your frustration.

Use Simple Language:

Do you know that most meltdowns result from poor communication skills? So be sure to respond to your child simply without using complex words. For example, asking your child, “How can daddy help?” will be more successful than saying, “As your parental figure, I cannot rectify this situation unless you communicate what is wrong.”

Provide a Distraction:

If your child thinks the sky is falling because mommy said it is bath time, take a moment to distract them. Remind them that grandma is coming by tomorrow. Tell them about the story you look forward to reading to them later. Once their focus shifts, they will not be so likely to keep the tantrum going.

Get Low, Get Low:

Getting down to the child’s level and making eye contact is a simple but effective way to show your preschooler that they are valued and respected. This helps to build trust and strengthen the bond between the child and the adult. Making eye contact can also help children to focus and pay attention to what is being said.

Please Give Them a Choice:

Children have very little control over their lives, and rightly so. They may be well into their 30s before realising their parents knew better. Let them feel as if they have some control by providing them with a close-ended choice. Questions such as, “Would you like some strawberries or biscuits for a snack?” allow mom and dad to be the real decision makers while letting the children have a small say.

It is important to understand that every child is different. "Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression." - Dr Haim Ginott, Pediatrician and Child Psychologist.

So try some of the above tips to see what works in your home to help maintain the family peace.