Wellbeing

Screen Time Vs Green Time

Hi families,

As we continue to build back into the school year, a common challenge can be breaking the habits from holiday routines. One such challenges is shifting back to reducing the amount of screen time their child is exposed to.

When talking about screen time children should have, there is no magical number of hours deemed “healthy” BUT it is encouraged that parents/guardians introduce a concept of ‘green time’ alongside screen time.

Our job as parents/guardians is to prepare our children to be able to thrive in a digital world. Aside from keeping them safe online and ensuring they are accessing quality, age-appropriate content, we need to support them in developing healthy habits - balancing screen time with ‘green time’. 

It is ideal for all children to understand the importance of ‘green time’ just as they grow to understand why brushing their teeth and eating vegetables needs to be a part of daily life! All elements of ‘green time’ have a mountain of evidence supporting their critical role in the healthy growth and development of our children and young people. So, what does ‘green time’ mean??

Outside time - refers to traditional green time engaging in any activity outside in the natural world, this has such a restorative effect for our brains. 

Moving time - any activity where our children are moving their bodies (online exercise session, bike ride, trampoline, hopscotch…)

Mindful time - this may mean listening to a meditation story or simply google “Mindful activities for children” and you will find a plethora of simple ideas depending on the age of your children. 

Social time – engaging and interacting with friends/peers of a similar age.

Unstructured time - (children may call this “boring” time at first!) refers to when you say “off you go and find something to do, no screens!”. Children typically complain and then after that their brain’s natural capacity to be creative and explore is activated and yes they find something to do!! Children experiencing “boredom” is very important for their development.

Reading time - this doesn’t just mean encouraging your child to read a book, it may mean them reading a book online, reading a recipe while cooking, reading signs when you are out walking.

‘Green time’ is something that can be easily introduced in your household and will encourage an awareness in your children of the importance of balance between screen time and green time. I recently asked my little boy to come inside and brush his teeth, his response was “I can’t, I’m getting my green time” (playing with his favourite truck in the backyard), it’s hard to be mad at that!