Playtime

Screen Time Revisited

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

We are definitely aware that too much screen time is bad for our kids. We’re familiar with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations and attempt to follow them, sort of. But if your kid has ever complained about being bored, or if you are in a busy place and your kid is inconsolable, you know that the tablet, smartphone, or TV screen is your trusty go-to remedy.

And then 2020 happened. TV, movies, games, and remote learning were our saving grace from quarantine. Now that our society is re-establishing a new norm, what does this mean for children regarding screen time? Has anything changed?

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A More Hands-On Approach

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

Screen time is just an arm’s reach away and let’s face it, kids are more likely to lounge around face-down in their tablet rather than engage with the objects around them. To be fair, we’ve all had our fair share of staring at a screen this past year.

Although technology is changing how we function from day to day, it’s still important that your child gets hands-on interaction with their environment. Not only does it build their fine motor skills, but it also shapes how they engage with people and their surroundings.

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Parents and Play

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

“Mommy, will you play with me?”

This is a frequent request from my 4-year-old and unfortunately, the answer lately has been “no.” There’s a variety of reasons as to why, from being busy with work stuff, or house stuff, to just everyday fatigue.

Yes, I feel guilty and I do try, but it does not come easy. Which brings up the question, “After a certain age, do parents have to play with their child?”

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Child(ish) Q&A: When will my kid be fun?

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

We’ve gotten this question quite a few times this past year, specifically from new dads who are unsure about what to do or how to play with their newborn.

To be honest, this is an interesting question to answer. For one, the definition of “fun” is completely subjective. Second, most “fun” activities we’re asked about depend on developmental skills that babies won’t acquire for months or even years. For example, you may not be able to toss your baby into the air safely until they develop good head and neck control (3 months). A child can’t properly throw a ball until they have appropriate trunk and shoulder stability (12-18 months), or catch a ball until they have appropriate hand-eye coordination, motor planning, and body/spatial awareness (2-3 years).  

Perhaps a better question is:
How can I share similar interests with my baby?

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2020 – The Year of the Alternative Summer

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L
2020: The Year of the Alternative Summer

After three months of online school and at-home daycare, we finally get to have a summer vacation! However, we’re all a bit uncertain, since many of us are still working at home, not traveling, and many summer camps are delaying opening. That leaves June and parts of July and August with not much to do. To avoid couch potatoes and the too many “I’m so bored” complaints this summer, here’s some alternatives:

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