So, you have a few of your precious grandchildren for the day – fun, but a lot of work! If you’re busy trying to cook dinner or get that last bit of weeding done, it’s so convenient to pop them in front of a digital ‘babysitter’, like a phone, tablet or laptop. Well, maybe you get your job done faster, but what are all those devices doing to them?
Hard on little eyes
Looking at a screen for too long can weaken eye focus, so that objects further away are harder to see. Young, still-developing eyes are particularly vulnerable, and added to that, the light isn’t natural daylight.
Higher risk of attention problems
The rapid nature of on-screen fare can make ‘real life’ seem slow and boring. The younger the viewers, the more likely their attention span will be shortened by too much time on a screen. It’s no coincidence that the rise of device use has kept pace with the rise of attention deficit disorders.
Similarly, constant exposure to violence, even in cartoon form, can affect a child’s behaviour to the point of hyperactivity and antisocial acts. Many caregivers report that their kid’s behaviour deteriorates immediately after using a screen – so you really pay for that TV downtime!
The suppressed emotional reaction to screen content can affect memory, so your bright, smart grandkid could have trouble coping with school work.
Screen time indoors – with junk food
When they’re on devices, your grandkids aren’t outside running around. They’re not socialising with anyone else (not even each other, usually) and they’re more likely to snack on junk food while they watch videos or play on-screen games. You can see how the risk of childhood obesity can so easily creep in.
Blue light affects sleep
We’re all affected by blue light these days, young and old. We go to sleep later, and find it harder to fall asleep when we finally go to bed. For kids, this is a serious issue. For every hour of screen time, little kids lose about 15 minutes of sleep, and older ones can lose almost half an hour. When they’re growing, every minute of sleep matters!
Be the best grandparent you can be
We know that grandparenting can be exhausting – pity the poor souls who are actually raising your grandchildren! The best part of being a grandparent is that you can love those grandkids to bits – and then give them back. Plonking them in front of the telly feels like it will give you a much-needed break, but here are a few ideas of what to instead.
First, get them to close those devices – or not open them in the first place. Then:
Dance to the music
Drag out your Beatles CDs or that Gershwin compilation, and get those kids dancing. Seeing Nana or Poppa wobbling around can at least be good for a laugh from your older, cooler grandkids, and toddlers will dance to anything.
Get out and play
Take them to a play park – walk there if you can. It can be quite restful, sitting on a bench watching all that climbing, swinging and jumping energy.
Stock up for rainy days
Invest in (or borrow) some activity toys – building blocks, Lego, or even a furnished doll’s house. Stock up on coloured pencils and save all your one-side-printed scrap paper. Keep a collection of books handy for little ones, and 3D puzzles for bigger hands to work out.
Audiobooks
Watching a screen for too long can be risky, but listening to a story and letting those young brains create their own images – that’s actually good for them. It stimulates their imagination, improves their vocabulary and gives you the down-time you crave after that walk to the park.
Build a hut
You can’t simply push a button to get this going, so be prepared for full involvement. Get out spare blankets and sheets, and ask for help to build a hut (or fort, or tent). You might need to drag out some of your heavier books, and shift some furniture around, but you’ll catch yourself having some serious fun!
Your care and attention is gold
We’ve gone on a bit about the risks and dangers of screen time – and those are real, for sure – but what your grandkids especially need from you is your care and attention. Their lives will be better, richer and more fulfilling with your input and love. You might be saving their eyes and helping them sleep better by dragging them away from those devices, but when you do, you’ll be giving them so much more than that. Replace screen time with your time, and enrich their lives.