Screens are a double-edged sword in the world of parenting. It is not uncommon for children to spend hours each day glued to screens, often with unintended consequences on their development .
A recent study conducted by Kaiser Family Foundation found that many kids average 7.5 hours per day sitting in front of screens which can lead to developmental problems if it becomes too much time spent staring at a screen and ignoring other parts of life like school or family activities.
Children love their favorite shows, and that interest is very motivating to them. Yet passively watching even educational programs isn’t doing their brains any favors. However, if you get them off the couch moving and interacting with these shows then something interesting happens: they flip a cognitive switch! And bonus, this process gives you permission to buy toys!
Part 1 of a 2 part series. Part 2, will be on the importance of also taking the time to put the screens away and use open-ended toys to foster creative and fantasy play.
Big Abilities 
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