How much screen time

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How much screen time

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This is an important question to ask for every parent. This has come upon us so quickly, we need to get a hold of this. The question from a developmentalist is, “What is the effect of screen time on the developmental processes on us, children realizing their full potential as human beings?” It turns out what children really need is their attachment hunger fulfilled, parents are the best bet for this – they need this fulfilled constantly and continually. And what children really need is a true play. This is not outcome based, as most of digital connection is and games on the screen; this is play that comes from the inside out, that comes after a fulfilling contact and closeness with parents as warm kind of connection. So screen time is actually interfering it turns out with what children need. Does this mean that the screen… that we should cut out all screens? Absolutely not. It’s an issue of readiness and if you could think of it like the cookie – Is dessert okay? Dessert is wonderful. It’s absolutely wonderful, but only after the main course. But what’s the main course for children? Well, this wonderful connecting time of interaction with mom and dad where they feel the invitation to exist in their presence and from it the emergence of play, creative solitude that is where the brains are built. When children are full with the main course, then they can have dessert. And that’s how we should treat screen time with the developmental needs of the child.

Watch Gordon Neufeld, PhD's video on How much screen time...

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Gordon Neufeld, PhD

Psychologist & Author

Dr. Gordon Neufeld is a Vancouver-based developmental psychologist with over 40 years of experience with children and youth and those responsible for them. A foremost authority on child development, Dr. Neufeld is an international speaker, a bestselling author, Hold On to Your Kids and a leading interpreter of the developmental paradigm. Dr. Neufeld has a widespread reputation for making sense of complex problems and for opening doors for change. While formerly involved in university teaching and private practice, he now devotes his time to teaching and training others, including educators and helping professionals. His Neufeld Institute is now a worldwide organization devoted to applying developmental science to the task of raising children. Dr. Neufeld appears regularly on radio and television. He is a father of five and a grandfather of three.

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