Last week Professor Pasi Sahlberg, a Finnish educator and author, spoke at the Australian Primary Principals Association Nation Conference. Professor Sahlberg has worked as a schoolteacher, teacher-educator, researcher, and policy maker in Finland and has advised school and education system leaders around the world.

At the Australian Conference Pasi spoke about the importance of music in enhancing wellbeing and happiness, and of play.

For your interest this is the link to Pasi’s blog

https://pasisahlberg.com/let-the-children-play/

Play develops the executive functions of working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. The benefits of play include creativity, collaboration, communication, creative problem-solving, curiosity, resilience, and risk-taking.

The long-term impacts of play deprivation include depression, aggression, reduced self-control, poor resilience, and obesity. Interestingly, Pasi found from a parent survey that 85% of parents say that kids today spend less time playing than they did when their parents were their children’s age, and 80% of parents say that children are under pressure to grow up.

Over the period from 2000 to 2020 the social-emotional wellbeing of students has decreased whilst sedentary time (screen time, less physical activity, less time outdoors, more homework, less play, and more fast food) has increased. Student achievement has remained the same however anxiety disorders, depression, social challenges, behavioural issues, addictions, poor nutrition, and sleep deprivation have sadly increased.

An easy-to-read infographics summary report ‘Growing up in Digital Australia’ published by The Gonski Institute of Education, NSW, can be accessed at this link:

https://www.gie.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/documents/GONS5000%20Growing%20Up%20Digital%20Infographic%20report_FINAL.pdf

The flow on effect of this research can be clearly seen in schools. As a parent I know how difficult it can be to reduce screen time, and even take devices from children at times. But this can be essential to ensure good mental health.

While screens are a part of today’s culture, it’s important to use break times to get in some physical activity. Develop a plan to put away devices somewhere out of sight and engage with your children in other ways.

The average time spent on screens (in 2021) was 7 to 10 hours per day.

Experts recommend that acceptable screen time is:

No screen time for children under 2
One hour per day for children 2 to 12
Two hours per day for teens and adults

Limiting screen time also helps parents keep a closer eye on what their children are experiencing on social media and the internet.

These tips can help you trim your children’s screen time when not in school:

Be accountable

Set expectations with your children and set goals to be intentional about reducing screen time.

Be Realistic

If your kids are spending a lot of leisure time on screens, including watching TV, start by setting smaller, more attainable goals. Instead of jumping right to the recommended one to two hours or less per day, start by cutting their current screen time in half.

Be engaged

After school or work, spend time each day talking face-to-face with children and give them your full attention. Eat meals together and chat about the family’s days.

Put hand-held devices away.

During screen-free hours, put devices away or at a charging station in a common area so they’re not attracting your child’s attention.

Create device-free zones in the home.

Making family meal areas a device free zone is an easy way to start.

Go Outside.

Putting down the phone and taking a walk or playing outdoors increases your endorphins and provides that feeling of happiness in your brain, boosting your mood and improving your physical health.

Exciting new opportunity for kinder students in 2023

Cristal Literacy Learning Centre (CLLC) is running a Pre-Reading Club in 2023 for four- and five-year-old children who will attend school in 2024.

This is a chance for the children to develop pre-reading skills in a fun and caring environment. A love for reading is the best adventure we can offer children.

CLLC is run and operated by Cristal Flood, a primary school with ten years’ experience.

Bundoora Primary school is partnering with CCLC, and the classes will run at our school – more information to come in our next newsletter.

Cristal Literacy Learning Centre is taking enrolments for Term 1, 2023. Please contact our office for contact details.

Thought for the week:

Happiness is an inside job. Don’t assign anyone else that much power over your life.

Mandy Hale

Wellbeing

Kate Bonazza - Student Wellbeing Officer (Monday & Tuesday)