{"id":2873,"date":"2025-04-14T19:37:03","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T17:37:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/?p=2873"},"modified":"2025-04-14T19:38:29","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T17:38:29","slug":"screens-tantrums-tired-eyes-supporting-children-with-screen-time-over-the-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/?p=2873","title":{"rendered":"Screens, Tantrums &amp; Tired Eyes: Supporting Children with Screen Time Over the Holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2873\" class=\"elementor elementor-2873\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a17da5d e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2a17da5d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5034a061 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5034a061\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Screens, Tantrums &amp; Tired Eyes: Supporting Children with Screen Time Over the Holidays<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Easter holidays bring a well-earned break\u2014but also a big temptation: screens.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With more time at home, it\u2019s easy for devices to fill the space. Whether it\u2019s games, YouTube, TikTok or scrolling, screen time often becomes the default activity\u2014and suddenly, we\u2019re dealing with meltdowns, eye strain, or kids who can\u2019t settle for bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a play therapist, I often see the emotional impact too much screen time can have on children. And it\u2019s not just about what they\u2019re watching\u2014it\u2019s how it affects their bodies, brains, and ability to cope with big feelings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Too Much Screen Time Dysregulates Children:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Screens are highly stimulating.<\/strong>\u00a0Bright lights, fast movement, and constant input keep the brain in &#8222;go&#8221; mode.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Children struggle to transition.<\/strong>\u00a0Shifting from screen to mealtime, bedtime, or a real-world conversation can feel abrupt and overwhelming.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emotions are stored, not expressed.<\/strong>\u00a0When children spend long periods passively watching, they have fewer opportunities to release emotional energy through movement or play.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It affects sleep and mood.<\/strong>\u00a0Blue light, stimulation, and dopamine highs make winding down more difficult.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So What Can You Do Over the Holidays?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Create a predictable rhythm.<\/strong><br>Children thrive on routine. You don\u2019t have to plan every moment, but having rough blocks of screen-free time (morning play, afternoon walk, bedtime stories) helps them anticipate what\u2019s next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Give choices within limits.<\/strong><br>Instead of &#8222;you can\u2019t watch that,&#8221; try, &#8222;Would you like to watch your show after lunch or after your bath?&#8221;<br>This gives them control&nbsp;<em>within boundaries<\/em>\u2014which helps reduce power struggles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Be screen-aware, not screen-free.<\/strong><br>It\u2019s not about banning screens altogether\u2014it\u2019s about balancing them with movement, imagination, fresh air, and face-to-face connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Expect dysregulation and name it.<\/strong><br>If your child is grumpy after screen time, you can gently name it: \u201cYour brain had a lot of screen energy\u2014it\u2019s hard to slow down.\u201d This builds emotional awareness over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Invite in sensory play.<\/strong><br>Screens are passive. Play is active. Even something simple like water play, baking, or drawing can help children regulate after too much stimulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">And if it\u2019s feeling&nbsp;<em>really<\/em>&nbsp;hard&#8230;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s okay. These strategies take time. You\u2019re not failing if your child melts down after screen time\u2014you\u2019re learning together. And if you feel like something deeper is going on beneath the screen habits, play therapy can offer a safe space for children to express what words can\u2019t always capture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wishing you a calm (and only&nbsp;<em>mildly<\/em>&nbsp;techy) Easter break!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Screens, Tantrums &amp; Tired Eyes: Supporting Children with Screen Time Over the Holidays Easter holidays bring a well-earned break\u2014but also a big temptation: screens. With more time at home, it\u2019s easy for devices to fill the space. Whether it\u2019s games, YouTube, TikTok or scrolling, screen time often becomes the default activity\u2014and suddenly, we\u2019re dealing with meltdowns, eye strain, or kids who can\u2019t settle for bed. As a play therapist, I often see the emotional impact too much screen time can have on children. And it\u2019s not just about what they\u2019re watching\u2014it\u2019s how it affects their bodies, brains, and ability to cope with big feelings. Why Too Much Screen Time Dysregulates Children: So What Can You Do Over the Holidays? 1. Create a predictable rhythm.Children thrive on routine. You don\u2019t have to plan every moment, but having rough blocks of screen-free time (morning play, afternoon walk, bedtime stories) helps them anticipate what\u2019s next. 2. Give choices within limits.Instead of &#8222;you can\u2019t watch that,&#8221; try, &#8222;Would you like to watch your show after lunch or after your bath?&#8221;This gives them control&nbsp;within boundaries\u2014which helps reduce power struggles. 3. Be screen-aware, not screen-free.It\u2019s not about banning screens altogether\u2014it\u2019s about balancing them with movement, imagination, fresh air, and face-to-face connection. 4. Expect dysregulation and name it.If your child is grumpy after screen time, you can gently name it: \u201cYour brain had a lot of screen energy\u2014it\u2019s hard to slow down.\u201d This builds emotional awareness over time. 5. Invite in sensory play.Screens are passive. Play is active. Even something simple like water play, baking, or drawing can help children regulate after too much stimulation. And if it\u2019s feeling&nbsp;really&nbsp;hard&#8230; It\u2019s okay. These strategies take time. You\u2019re not failing if your child melts down after screen time\u2014you\u2019re learning together. And if you feel like something deeper is going on beneath the screen habits, play therapy can offer a safe space for children to express what words can\u2019t always capture. Wishing you a calm (and only&nbsp;mildly&nbsp;techy) Easter break!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2874,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-egyeb"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tantrum.png",1024,1536,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tantrum.png",1024,1536,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tantrum.png",1024,1536,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tantrum-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tantrum-200x300.png",200,300,true],"large":["https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tantrum-683x1024.png",683,1024,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tantrum.png",1024,1536,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tantrum.png",1024,1536,false]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"sylvieveber","author_link":"https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/author\/sylvieveber"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/?cat=1\" rel=\"category\">Egy\u00e9b kateg\u00f3ria<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Screens, Tantrums &amp; Tired Eyes: Supporting Children with Screen Time Over the Holidays Easter holidays bring a well-earned break\u2014but also a big temptation: screens. With more time at home, it\u2019s easy for devices to fill the space. Whether it\u2019s games, YouTube, TikTok or scrolling, screen time often becomes the default activity\u2014and suddenly, we\u2019re dealing with&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2873","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2873"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2873\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2878,"href":"https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2873\/revisions\/2878"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2874"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sylvieplaytherapy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}