Mental development is harder to track than physical changes in children, but the way a child’s mind grows is just as important as how his or her body is growing. On the doorstep of middle school, there are certain mental benchmarks most children should be able to check off.
Academically, by now kids should be able to divide fractions, use decimals and conceptualize in 3-D. For writing, they should grasp the elements of a story. Even some complex concepts should be easier for kids to understand, like metaphors, emotions, and symbols. Some kids may even show an interest in philosophy.
One of the major issues that will stunt mental development for kids is excessive screen time. How much is excessive? Your child is probably consuming more than the recommended amount already. The American Academy of Pediatrics says limiting kids 6–12 to a maximum of two hours per day is ideal to promote good mental development. Too much screen time can affect their physical and emotional health. Problems include obesity, behavior problems, and violence.
If you want your child to have a strong brain, make sure it rests. Kids who don’t get enough sleep struggle in school and in social situations. Putting away screens one hour before bedtime is a good start. Also, setting a sleeping schedule will help ensure that your kids don’t fall behind due to lack of sleep.
Your kids can retain a lot of information, which is good because they are getting fed more and more data every day at school and with friends. Keeping up with it all could be challenging. Give them grace. Check out this video from our Child Development Series and get involved today. You can help your child’s brain grow by sharing in their learning and social experiences. Support them as they strive to learn more each day.
Huddle up with your kids and ask, “How much screen time do you think is too much?”