Young children

Television, DVDs, movies, streaming and devices are appealing to parents because they keep children occupied – allowing the parent to finish their tasks, have a break, or prevent a melt-down.

I’ve been there. I know.

Wholesome media, in moderation, and at right times, can be helpful. (Note: Further, there’s a pretty short list of these in comparison to the oceans of media available, Honored Parents.)

Age and Time

There is an age and time factor.

The American Academy of Pediatrics released a policy statement that children two and under should avoid watching TV as much as possible. They noted that TV (and by association, media and devices) may lead to sleep problems and delayed use of speech in young children (livescience.com “Kids Under 2 Should Play, Not Watch TV, Doctors Say”).

Further, worsening eyesight among children is soaring – and directly related to increased screen time (studyfinds.org “Parental blindness? Half of parents don’t know screen time damages their kids’ vision”).

Children under the age of two need little to no TV or screen time. Children over the age of two need wholesome screen time in time-limited doses.

What children do actually need for their spirit, soul and physical development (aside from the obvious: love, care, healthy nutrition and sleep) is play, interaction with their parents, time outside, and Scripture.

In today’s lifestyle, this is a tall order.

I’d like to encourage you if you’re in a place to start well for your children, there are benefits to limiting (or even avoiding) screen time. The children aren’t being conditioned to: 1. depend on the screen or melt-down 2. demand things that are advertised 3. be influenced by values that don’t match yours.

Further, children who are free from the imposed culture that streams through screens have an openness to play with simple things. They will play with them, and be engaged longer, if they are not bombarded with stuff! stuff! stuff! at every turn.

This time actually helps them develop the ability to have deep thought and focus.

All of this takes intentional and consistent input from parents. Not easy, I know. However, the long-term pay-offs are worth it.

If you recognize areas of deficit, take heart. Every day is an opportunity to begin again with Father God. Add prayer for His redemption to this mix, and watch Father God show you that “. . .it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy” (NASB, Romans 9:16).

Our calling, and our children’s, does take faith and action on our part. Yet, it does not start or end with us. Its genesis and finale is in the mercy, grace, love, choosing and calling of our Father God.

Everyone Needs a Break

Dr. Caroline Leaf, neuroscientist, talks about the way Father God wired our brains to take rests. Brains cycle and have a rest stop every so often. Dr. Leaf recommends taking “thinker moments” in our day (drleaf.com/blog/news/”The Dos and Dont’s of Brain Health”). She writes that a “thinker moment” is intentionally stopping external work to allow our brain to meditate on the internal (this is a GREAT place where Holy Spirit can move Scripture to our meditation if it has been placed in there for Him to work with!). Intentional times when we stop and let our mind “wander” from the outside to the inside.

When Holy Spirit and Scripture are deposited within, the presence of fear and trauma of “letting the mind wander” are greatly reduced or eliminated. Therefore, this mind/brain rest is beneficial.

Here’s good news! Neither parents nor children need to work the entire day (or avoid work by distraction because healthy habits were not formed). Everyone needs a break.

It is healthy to a person – and that person’s life starts when they are in the womb – to have “thinker moments,” healthful nutrition, creativity and play and good sleep.

The most optimum time to start these healthy habits are in childhood.

Parents or caregivers are the ones chosen by Father God to nurture children. Greater grace to you, Honored Parents, in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Scripture Rest Break

As I wrote previously, creating a pleasant experience for children to freely play (without screens or devices) as they listen to Scripture is the best rest time on earth! (Hopefully with snacks included, as age appropriate!).

Because it takes so much energy and input for parents to raise children, it is important to hear that you, Honored Parent, need a break, too. You don’t have to “sneak” in a break or distract or zone out in scrolling, Father God wants you and created you to have regular, healthy, replenishing breaks.

I highly recommend if you have young children to take a break yourself when they listen to Scripture. We used the audio Bible on CD, and each CD was about one hour.

When my youngest son rested or listened to the Scripture, there was so much (I believed) on my plate that demanded my attention. I raced through the house cleaning or crammed in email responses or cooking, etc. They rested – but I did not.

I believed that by pushing myself to accomplish these physical tasks that I cared best for my family. I worked hard to care for their needs, but neglected my own. As a result, I ended up exhausted and angry – which caused me to not care for my family in the best way.

It is all glory and praise to Father, Son and Spirit that my following His inspiration to hear His Scripture bore much fruit in my sons – and I pray it does for your family as well.

In these lessons learned from that time, I hope that sharing what failed and what succeeded from my life will encourage you and assist you with nurturing your precious children, Honored Parents (and Grandparents and Caregivers).

. . .to be continued.

Crystal Wade, © 2025