Pediatric occupational therapist Cris Rowan helps parents and people who work with children find a balance between screen time and other activities in two presentations today and Saturday.
“Rowan got interested in the impact of screen time on children’s development physically, socially and in language development as a therapist. She wrote the book, Virtual Child. She says as adults we are not being very good role models for children because of all the time we spend in front of a screen,” said Lynne Reside, executive director of the North Okanagan Early Childhood Development Coalition which is sponsoring Rowan’s workshops.
The Canadian Pediatric Association recommends that children under two have no screen time because of the negative impact on their brain development, and that children two to six have no more than one hour a day screen time (includes all entertainment technology).
Rowan’s presentations will talk about the impact of screen time on child development and offer practical suggestions on how to help children develop the technology skills they need in modern life while also developing in other areas of their lives.
The presentation, Children and Technology: Finding the Balance at Home, takes place at Trinity United Church in Vernon. The presentation for parents is today from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Entry fee is a suggested $5 donation. The presentation for professionals is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. To register contact Reside at coordinator@noecdcoalition.ca.
