Like adults, youngsters are getting addicted to handheld devices like laptops and cell phones and that can lead to developmental problems, several studies show.

Screen time in preschoolers continues to grow, with 63 percent of children in the United States spending over two hours a day on their device, according to a study published in the Lancet.

This comes in spite of the American Academy of Pediatricians’ recommendation that parents limit the time that youngsters spend on the devices.

“The AAP recommends parents prioritize creative, unplugged playtime for infants and toddlers,” according to a report from the academy.

The organization recently released these recommendations:

• For children younger than 18 months, avoid use of screen media other than video-chatting. Parents of children 18 to 24 months of age who want to introduce digital media should choose high-quality programming, and watch it with their children to help them understand what they’re seeing.
• For children ages, 2 to 5 years, limit screen use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programs.
• Parents should co-view media with children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.
• For children ages 6 and older, place consistent limits on the time spent using media, and the types of media, and make sure media does not take the place of adequate sleep, physical activity and other behaviors essential to health.
• Have ongoing communication about online citizenship and safety, including treating others with respect online and offline.

A study by JAMA Pediatrics showed that when young children are observing screens, they may be missing important opportunities to practice and master interpersonal, motor, and communication skills. Preschoolers who spent two or more hours a day often had language delays and other developmental delays. Limiting screen time in toddlers ages 18 to 36 months was especially important, the study showed.

Here at Kid E Nation, our focus is on providing creative play to build social skills, teamwork, and independent creative thinking.

Studies have shown that children who are allowed to participate in creative play increased their social, language and emotional stability by 33 percent to 67 percent.

At Kid E Nation, our highly trained teachers create a curriculum focusing on a wide scope of learning, allowing for cognitive, physical, gross motor, fine motor, and creative activities to emerge at each child’s developmental level.

Check out all of the enrichment activities that we offer at our Kid E Nation preschool, where creative minds build bright futures.