Aussie mother and childhood expert share tips to get children off screens and outdoors

An Aussie mother and early childhood expert have weighed in on one of the biggest mistakes parents are making.

Jana Banhuk and her son Leo at the new Victoria Park Urban Pump Track. Photo: David Clark

Parents have been warned to get their kids outside this summer, and off devices, to cut the risk of long-term health problems.

Professor Marilyn Campbell from the Queensland University of Technology School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education said it was crucial that parents make an effort to achieve balanced screen time for their children - while also themselves practising what they preach.

“I’ve seen some parents who actually come home from work pick up their kids from daycare, and because they’re scrolling on their phones, either stick an iPad or another phone in front of the child, which is not going to lead to a balanced life.

“Parents have a responsibility to think about how they are going to guide their children.”

QUT Educational Psychology Professor Dr Marilyn Campbell. Picture: Supplied

Professor Campbell said is was extremely important for childhood development to get kids into the great outdoors.

“It’s extremely important they have, obviously fine motor development in being able to work the iPad but you’ve also got to have gross motor development,” she said.

“You got to be able to skip and run and jump, and you’ve got to be able to physically keep your body in shape all your life, and that starts in childhood.”

Brisbane mum Jana Banhuk said she works hard to limit screen time and keep her three-year-old son, Leo, active, which means lots of trips to playgrounds.

“My son has half an hour of screen time in the morning and half an hour of screen time in the afternoon, that’s all we have,” she said.

“If we go to a restaurant, we try to bring toys with us, a notepad and a pen just to keep him occupied, rather than just give him the device in front of his face.”

“It’s really about parents putting effort into spending time with their children.”

Leo enjoying the new Victoria Park Urban Pump Track. Photo:David Clark

Originally published as Aussie mother and childhood expert share tips to get children off screens and outdoors