KEY ACTIVITIES TO ENSURE THE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN’S BRAINS AND MINDS

Limit Screen Time: Reduce the amount of time children spend in front of screens, including TVs, computers, tablets, and smartphones. Follow the guidelines provided by health organizations regarding screen time for different age groups.

(The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics state: No computer for a child, no screen for a child under two years old, one hour per day for children aged two to five, and a maximum of two hours per day for children aged five to fifteen.)

Why is it important? See the article „Social networks were created in collaboration with neurologists to make an increasing number of people dependent on them“.

Promote Outdoor Activities: Encourage physical activities and outdoor play. Exercise is not only beneficial for physical health but also supports cognitive development and emotional well-being.

Encourage Reading: Foster a love for reading from an early age. Reading books together not only enhances language skills but also promotes bonding between parents and children.

Provide Nutritious Diet: Ensure that children have a balanced and nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds, are particularly beneficial for brain health.

Establish a Consistent Routine: Create a structured daily routine that includes sufficient sleep. Consistent sleep patterns are crucial for cognitive function and emotional regulation.

Promote Social Interaction: Encourage face-to-face social interactions with peers. Socializing helps in the development of interpersonal skills, empathy, and emotional intelligence.

Monitor Online Activities: Be aware of your child’s online activities. Implement age-appropriate controls and educate children about responsible internet use.

Provide Stimulating Environment: Create a stimulating home environment with age-appropriate toys, puzzles, and games that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

Model Healthy Behavior: Children often learn by example. Demonstrate a healthy lifestyle by engaging in regular exercise, reading, and other activities that promote mental and physical well-being.

Stay Involved in Education: Be actively involved in your child’s education. Communicate with teachers and participate in school activities to support their academic and social development.

Each child is unique, and parents should tailor their approach based on the child’s individual needs and interests. Regular communication and a supportive, nurturing environment are fundamental to a child’s overall well-being and cognitive development.

Social networks are influencing Children’s IQ.

Summary (prepared by SHS TEAM) from interview in Radio Universum, with the highly recognized Professor of Neurology in American School of Medicine.

Here is the link to whole interview: 19.11.2023 26 min

https://www.radiouniversum.cz/files/uploads/2023/11/23_11_19_StranskyJan1D.mp3

In an interview Professor of Neurology at the Yale School of Medicine, concerns are raised about the adverse effects of excessive technology use, particularly on children. The interview emphasizes that prolonged exposure to screens, such as those of computers and mobile phones, negatively impacts children’s mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, and other behavioral issues.

Mr, Professor highlights the World Health Organization’s and the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations on screen time for children, emphasizing the responsibility of parents in regulating their children’s use of technology. The interview discusses a study showing a significant percentage of ninth-grade students displaying signs of depression and anxiety, potentially linked to the misuse of modern technologies.

The conversation delves into the physiological changes observed in the brains of children exposed to screens for extended periods. Mr. Professor asserts that these changes, affecting areas responsible for literacy and problem-solving, indicate the harmful impact of excessive screen time on cognitive functions.

The interview further explores the creation of social networks in collaboration with neurologists to increase dependency, comparing this phenomenon to the development of addictive drugs. The evolution of social media platforms, from Facebook to TikTok, is discussed, with an emphasis on the increasing dosing of stimuli and a decrease in meaningful interaction.

Concerns are raised about the addictive nature of social media, especially among children, prompting legal action in the European Union and certain U.S. states against tech companies. Lawsuits claim that these platforms, through algorithms and design, cross the line into child abuse by fostering addiction and infringing on children’s privacy. The interview concludes with expressing the need for a broader discussion, considering the possibility of a complete ban on mobile phones for all children.