I Move We Move - Good For Kids - NSW Government

7.1
Small screen recreation
This section of The Guide aims to support Children's Services to influence and limit children’s sedentary
small screen time by providing strategies for your service and also for families to implement.
Small screen recreation is a type of sedentary behaviour that involves a person using a computer,
playing electronic games or watching television (broadcast, DVDs or videos) for recreation, not
education, particularly when they are not doing anything else that is physically active e.g. dancing.
The National Physical Activity Recommendations for Children 0-5 years (these recommendations are
draft and subject to endorsement by the Australian Health Ministers’ Conference) 6 state:
• "Children younger than 2 years of age should not spend any time watching television or using
other electronic media (DVDs, computer and other electonic games)
• For children 2 to 5 years of age, sitting and watching television and the use of other electronic
media (DVDs, computer and other electronic games) should be limited to less than one hour
per day"*
Why do we need to limit small screen recreation in the early
childhood education and care sector?
There is no denying that computers and television are important tools for children’s education
and development. It may be acceptable to include computers in your daily program particularly if
children at your service don’t have access to computers at home. However, spending too much time
being sedentary in front of the small screen can reduce the opportunities for children to grow, learn
and develop through play (active and inactive), real world interaction and relationships with others.
Also the content of what young children can encounter on the small screen is an issue as they can
not distinguish between fantasy and reality. For example, exposure to violence and advertising on
the television can impact on children’s behaviour and their self-esteem 26,27 .
What can early childhood services do?
Set and enforce a clear policy on limiting screen time
Children's Services can develop strategies to ensure the inclusion of computers, television and
electronic games consoles is responsible and in the best interests of children in care. Within your
service, staff may be aware of a child who would happily spend every waking moment on the
computer or in front of the television. It is the responsibility of the staff to monitor and ensure a
balance for all children.
In line with the National Physical Activity Recommendations for Children 0–5 years (these recommendations
are draft and subject to endorsement by the Australian Health Ministers’ Conference) 6 , your service
is encouraged to ensure that children under two years of age are not provided opportunities for
small screen recreation whilst in care. For children aged two years and over, it is recommend that
your service ensures that if small screen recreation time is offered; it is infrequent, only for short
periods of time and that children are encouraged to be active after screen time. Including small
screen recreation in your service’s policies ensures that your staff’s practices are consistent, and
staff and families should be made aware of the policy. The amount of time children spend in small
screen recreation whilst in care should also be communicated to families to help them decide how
much small screen recreation to allow at home.
I Move We Move, The Guide Edition 1 August 2009
AREA HEALTH SERVICE