Notre Dame OSHC at Bells Creek now open
We are pleased to announce the opening of Notre Dame Outside School Hours Care, at the Sunshine Coast’s newest school, Notre Dame College at Bells Creek.
Transitioning children from screen time to other activities is not always easy. Here are three things you can do to support them.
Families and educators often feel concerned about how much time children spend watching screens. Evidence suggests that screen time and digital technology can be part of a healthy lifestyle for children provided they balance this time with other activities such as outdoor play, reading books and spending time with family and friends.
Transitioning children from screen time to other activities is not always easy. Here are three things you can do to support them:
1. Give children time to prepare for the transition
Digital content can be highly engaging and it is understandable that children might feel frustrated or annoyed if their device is suddenly taken away. It can be helpful to set clear time limits around each use – for example, watching two episodes of a show or for 30 minutes after dinner. It’s important to give children a warning when it’s almost time to stop.
Letting children know what activity will follow can also be helpful. What they are moving to may not always be fun, but helping children understand what to expect helps make for a smoother transition.
2. Use screen time as inspiration for other activities
At Catholic Early EdCare we create opportunities for play based on children’s current interests and areas of curiosity. Support children to move from technologies into non-digital activities by linking what children are watching to other activities.
3. Give children choice and control
Children feel heard and validated when they are involved in decisions that affect them and when their opinions are valued. Looking for appropriate ways to offer children choices in these situations can be very powerful. Children might like to decide how to spend their allocated digital time – for example, would they like to watch two episodes of a show or play a puzzle game for 30 minutes. Do they want a timer set or finish up when they have completed two levels?
Catholic Early EdCare takes a balanced and intentional approach to screen time and eSafety, ensuring that digital technologies are used in a way that supports children’s learning, development, and wellbeing. Screen time is carefully planned and purposefully integrated into programs to enhance educational experiences, with a focus on age-appropriate, high-quality content.
Alongside this, eSafety is a priority, and children are guided to understand the importance of responsible and respectful digital behaviour. Catholic Early EdCare also works in partnership with families to promote safe online practices, fostering a shared understanding of how to navigate the digital world safely while maintaining a strong emphasis on children’s holistic development.
As parents and educators navigate screens and technology with children, they should know they are not alone if they find transitions difficult. Raising Children Network offers resources and practical advice for families seeking to promote heathy screen time and technology use among preschoolers, school aged children and teens.
