Families are encouraged to consider the impact of screen time on young children. It has become increasingly prevalent in modern society for young children to engage in screen time on a range of devices on a daily basis. Whilst there can be a learning purpose and many benefits for using an educational App, there are risks associated with lengthy periods of screen time. This impacts upon the child’s physical, social and emotional wellbeing, as well as their capacity to learn effectively.

Prolonged engagement with a device or television can lead to difficulties with social interaction, speech and language, making eye contact with others, concentration, focus and sleep.

It is important that screen time is balanced with other experiences. For young children, it is essential to have opportunities to play outdoors, connect with nature and engage in physical activity. They also require hands-on opportunities for creative and imaginative play. Most importantly, children need regular interaction and conversation with family members and peers as this is how they learn to communicate, interact with and relate to others.

Child development experts recommend limiting children’s daily screen time. The latest guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggest that children aged 2-5 years should have no more than one hour of screen time per day with adult supervision and interaction.

It is therefore recommended that families take a considered approach to screen time by ensuring that it is limited and supervised, and that this type of activity is balanced out with many other opportunities for play, learning and interaction.

Tips for Managing Screen Time:

• Establish guidelines with your child regarding when, where and how they can use a device.
• Supervise young children while they are using a device and engage with them so that this does not become an isolated experience.
• Limit screen time by using a timer and end the session with some physical movement.
• Research games and Apps before allowing your child to use them.
• Schedule plenty of non-screen time into your child’s day.
• Avoid allowing your child to use a device prior to bedtime as this impacts their quality of sleep.

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Out of School Hours Care

St Catherine’s School offers an Out of School Hours Care program to all ELC and Junior School families. The program is implemented by our provider ‘After the Bell’, and operates within the ELC building. Parents are reminded that if you need to use the Before School Care or After School Care service, registrations need to be made in advance with ‘After the Bell’. Please allow up to five business days for your registration to be processed before your child can begin attending the program. Registration is free. All families are encouraged to register so that you can use this service in the event that you are unable to pick up your child.

Before School Care – 7.00am to 8.45am

After School Care – 3.00pm to 6.00pm

Registrations can be completed via the ‘After the Bell’ website https://afterthebell.com.au/register-now/

Please phone 9758 6744 for all enquiries.