Early Learning Preschool
Week 11
Screen Time: How Much is Too Much?
Preschoolers learn by interacting with the world around them. They need to be physically active — to run, climb, and swing on the playground — and to have creative outlets like drawing or dress-up.
Time spent with screens (like a TV, tablet, or smartphone) can be an opportunity to reinforce learning and promote creative play. But too much screen time can have unhealthy side effects.
For this reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends limiting the amount of time that preschoolers spend in front of a screen. It's good advice — but in today's world, it can be tough to keep kids away from all the TVs, tablets, computers, smartphones, and gaming systems they'll see.
Here's how to keep time spent with screens as productive as possible.
How Much Is Too Much?
Preschoolers ages 2 to 5 should have no more than 1 hour of screen time each day. The exception to this rule is video chatting with grandparents or other family friends, which is considered quality time interacting with others.
Not all screen time is created equal. For example, you and your child playing an interactive phonics or numbers game on a tablet or watching high-quality educational programming together is good screen time. Keeping the TV on all day for "background noise" or letting your preschooler watch your favorite shows with you are examples of bad screen time.
Use screen time as a chance to interact with your child and teach lessons about the world. Don't let your child spend time alone just staring at a screen.
Screen Time Tips
The same parenting rules apply to screen time as to anything else — set a good example, establish limits, and talk with your child about it.
To make your preschooler's screen time more productive:
- Be with young kids during screen time and interact with them. That can mean playing an educational game with your child or talking about something you see together in an age-appropriate TV show or video.
- Research games and apps before getting them for your child. There are thousands of apps and games that claim to be educational, but not all of them are. Search online to see which ones educators and doctors consider the best.
- Schedule plenty of non-screen time into your child's day. Unstructured playtime is important for building creativity, so young children should have time to play away from screens every day. Family meals and bedtimes are also important times to put the screens away and interact with your child.
- Keep devices with screens out of your child's bedroom after bedtime, and don't allow a TV in your child's bedroom.
Reviewed by: KidsHealth Medical Experts
4th Annual Greet and Treat
Thank you SO much for supporting the Strongsville Food Bank with your donations at Greet and Treat!
Craft Fair at Strongsville High School
Strongsville Food Bank Donations
Strongsville Public Library Events
***Please note the following November 2019 events at the Strongsville Branch Library. Registration is required for most events. Please call (440) 238-5530 to register or for more information. Customers may also visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org to register and to see more library event information.
**All Library Branches and Administration will close on Wednesday, November 27th at 5:30 p.m. and all day Thursday, November 28th for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We will resume normal hours on Friday, November 29th at 9:00 a.m.
Year-Round Story Times!
Cuyahoga County Public Library offers story time sessions year-round for children Birth to Age 5. Our story times are in full swing for the Fall. Please call the library or stop by the Children’s Desk for more information.
State of the Art Recording Studio Open to the Public!
The Strongsville Branch Library has Audio and Video Recording Studios open to the public. Customers interested in using Garage Band, iMovie, and the Adobe Suite to create sound recordings, video recordings, and more are welcome to sign-up for studio time up to one week in advance. In order to use the studio, customers must first attend an orientation session. Drop-in orientations will be held on Tuesdays - Audio studio orientation from 2:30-3:00 p.m. Video studio orientation from 3:00-3:30 p.m. and Saturdays, Audio studio orientation from 9:30-10:00 a.m. and Video studio orientation from 10:00-10:30 a.m. No registration is needed. Please show up on time for these orientations. For more information on the studio and how to book studio time, please call (440) 238-5530.
Ohio Means Jobs. Tuesdays / 9 – 5:30 p.m.
An Ohio Means Jobs Employment Specialist is available for job placement and individualized job planning services. Please call ahead to confirm the Job Specialist's availability.
World War II Reenacting. Monday, November 11th / 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Come and hear dedicated reenactors talk about their love of the hobby. There will be displays and a chance to talk with the reenactors.
Get the Scoop: Smoothie Ingredients for a Super Brain. Tuesday, November 12th 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Heinen's registered dietitian, Melanie Jatsek, RD, LD, will show you exactly what to add to your blender for a balanced, energizing, and brain-loving smoothie. You will learn how to mix and match from and abundance of superfood ingredients to suit your personal tastes so that you may build a healthy, vibrant, and powerful brain!
Southwest Hearing Screenings. Wednesday, November 13th / 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
The Community Nurses of Southwest General Hospital will be here to offer free hearing screenings. Reservations are required. Please call Southwest for an appointment at (440) 816-4037.
Computer Classes
Cuyahoga County Public Library offers computer classes for beginners to advanced users. Many of our classes offer Northstar Digital Literacy Certification. All classes are free. Registration begins 30 days before each class date. Classes are for adults age 18 and over. To see a full class list, descriptions, and to register, please visit https://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/Events/Computer-Classes.aspx
Here are the upcoming classes:
Thursday, November 14th / 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Google Apps.
Thursday, November 14th / 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Excel 1.
Friday, November 15th / 10:00 a.m. – Noon. Excel 2.
Saturday, November 16th / 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Excel Review.
Amazing Mazes. Grades K – 5. Saturday, November 16th / 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Build 3D mazes and have fun with marbles!
Parkfit Mall Walkers Wellness Talk: Antibiotics, Cold, & Flu. Tuesday, November 19th at 10:00 a.m.
Join us the third Tuesday of each month for this special wellness talk sponsored by Southwest Hospital. Join Rebecca Margevicious from pharmD who will discuss antibiotics & cold/flu. The ParkFit Mall Walkers Club is a combined effort of Southwest General and SouthPark Mall in Strongsville. The Club provides an opportunity for community residents to improve their health by walking for exercise in a safe interesting and climate-controlled facility. Walk at the mall first then come over to the Library for this informative wellness talk! For more information call (440) 816-4037.
Wednesday Evening Book Discussion. Wednesday, November 20th / 7:00 p.m.
Meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. New Members Welcome! For this month, we are reading Clock Dance by Anne Tyler. Books can be picked up at the check-out desk. Registration for this program is not needed. Join us for an evening of great discussion!
American Red Cross Blood Drive. Friday, November 22nd / 10:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
In just an hour of your time you can help save up to three lives. Make sure hospital patients get the treatment they need. Donate blood today. For more information or to make an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call the American Red Cross at (216) 431-3010.
Monday Afternoon Book Discussion. Monday, November 25th / 2:30 p.m. Meets the 4th Monday of each month.
New Members Welcome! Our next discussion title will be A Shout in the Ruins by Kevin Powers. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk. Join us for great discussion!
Strongsville Early Learning Preschool
Email: msurso@scsmustangs.org
Website: www.strongnet.org
Location: 19543 Lunn Road, Strongsville, OH, United States
Phone: 4405727046
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StrongsvilleEarlyLearningPreschool/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Twitter: @MrsSurso