Breaks from screens — Wellbeing, 4–6 years
Learn to give your eyes and body a pause when watching or playing on a screen. Wellbeing, 4–6 years.
Look away and move
A screen asks your eyes to look closely for a while, and it often keeps your body in one position. A screen break means looking across the room, blinking, standing up or doing something else. You do not have to wait until your eyes or body feel uncomfortable.
Why pauses help
Looking at one close thing for a long time can make eyes feel tired or dry, and sitting still can make the body stiff. People began planning pauses because screens can hold attention so strongly that we forget to move. A short change gives eyes and muscles a different job.
A small screen plan
Rui watches one short programme after lunch. Before it starts, he puts the remote beside his parent and chooses what comes next: drawing. When the programme ends, he looks out of the window, stands up, stretches his arms and draws for a while instead of starting another video.
Just one more
It is easy to think that one more game or video will take only a moment, especially when the story is exciting. But the next part can keep you sitting and looking for much longer than planned. Choosing the stopping point before you begin makes the pause easier to remember.
At home and elsewhere
Take breaks during television, tablet games, video calls or a digital story. During the break, choose a real-world activity such as building, looking outside or walking to get a toy. An adult can help choose suitable screen times and make sure the screen is at a comfortable distance.
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