Sherman: Prescribe quality time with your kids
During a child’s infancy, we expect many trips to the doctor’s office. Even as a child grows, there are well visits for routine checks and sick visits, during which a pediatrician might prescribe medicine. What if, during one of those visits, your little one’s doctor prescribed playtime with you?
“Wait,” you think to yourself, “my child plays all the time.” But are they playing with you? Just you, one-on-one? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there are numerous benefits to a child’s development when a parent or caregiver spends quality time with him or her.
It’s hard to imagine, but in the first 1,000 days of life, extremely fast changes occur in a child’s body, brain and emotions. Kids go from babies who can’t speak or move much to walking, talking toddlers! From ages 3-8, a child’s most important brain growth is happening. Throughout this time, they are learning by what they see, feel and hear from their parents and caregivers. This can impact how they learn and behave in school and even in life.
Every time you do something with your child, they learn. So imagine what 30 minutes a day of uninterrupted quality time could do. Quality time means 100% of your attention is on your child. Tummy time, breastfeeding, singing and reading are all examples of quality time with kids.
Quality time with infants and young children doesn’t just have to be with parents. Grandparents, older siblings, babysitters and neighbors are all invited and welcome to help a child get 30 minutes of quality time activities. For a child, every movement, word and sound is a learning moment.
Given how valuable 30 minutes a day can be, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of Public Health has created an app called “QT30,” which stands for “30 Minutes of Quality Time.” It’s a free app available to anyone with an Android or iPhone, and it can make scheduling quality time easy. The QT30 app has more than 150 different activities for ages 0-3 and 4-8. The activities are arranged by type — outdoor, indoor, arts and crafts, words/numbers/sounds, and kitchen and in-home. The app also features a timer, so you can keep track of how much time you are spending, and the activities come with video instructions, too. To find a full list of activities and to download the app, visit dethrives.com/QT-30.
Having a baby can be overwhelming. Having a toddler can be hectic. And 30 minutes a day may seem daunting. But carving out special time can be blended right into your day! Maybe it’s early in the morning, before the hustle and bustle of the day. Maybe it’s just after nap time or right after dinner. Whatever time and activity you choose, know that dedicating 30 minutes a day to a child can lead to better health, a better chance of being ready for school and even a better life overall.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
