Kids need more than gadgets for wellbeing

22 April 2016 - 02:26 By Poppy Louw

An occupational therapist has called on parents to ensure that children spend sufficient time away from hi-tech devices and engage in other types of play. Speaking at a workshop hosted by Toy Kingdom in Sandton, Johannesburg, Stefanie Kruger said parents should use caution when giving their children access to gadgets such as tablets and smartphones."Balance is essential. Although these devices might be good for brain stimulation, children's other senses also need to be stimulated."If you consider how using a computer leaves an adult - imagine what it can do to a child."Kruger said that there was an increasing need among South African children for occupational therapy.She encouraged parents to take part in their children's skills development and to play with them, as they quickly learned skills by having fun.She suggested traditional and educational toys as well as outdoor play."But you should be careful not to overstimulate children, or stimulate them too often. Take note of their self-soothing signs when they become distressed."Children who lack early skills development are likely to struggle to participate in their environment in later life, she said.The 2014 Country Progress Report by the Department of Basic Education said that less than half (45%) of children aged four or under had participated in early childhood development programmes though there had been a 38% increase between 2002 and 2013.Mothers Shaaista Mahomed and Nabihah Plaatjes attended the workshop hoping it would help them better understand their children's behaviour.Both mothers said they battled to get their 21-month-old toddlers' attention when giving them instructions, and found them overly active."My daughter is that one child who is running around while the other children are sitting quietly at events," said Mahomed.Plaatjes said her son "lacked focus" and always found something else to do, even when she was talking to him...

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