Screen time is time spent in front of a screen (e.g. television, phone, ipad/tablet, computer, video game device)

An excess amount of screen time can increase the risk of:
• Inconsistent sleep – may have trouble falling asleep or maintaining a regular sleep schedule.
• Problems with behaviour and attention – excessive screen time can lead to difficulties in school, attention problems, hyperactivity and behavioural issues.

Language Development
Children learn to talk and communicate through interactions with other people. The first several years of life are crucial for your child’s language development. It is when their brain is the most receptive to learning new language. The research has shown that increasing screen time can have an impact on speech and language acquisition and may also be linked to attention problems, short-term memory problems, and reading problems. All of which can play into your child’s ability to learn language as well.

Educational Videos
Of course there are educational videos such as those that teach language skills (e.g. sign language, vocabulary) however videos do not replace face-to-face interactions where they learn non-verbal body language and appropriate social skills.

Instead of Screen Time you can:
• Sing songs (i.e. nursery rhymes)
• Read a book
• Play with your child’s favourite toy, board game, puzzle
• Make a craft project, colour a picture
• Play in the yard, go to the park, go for a walk, ride bikes
• Go for a car ride and talk about what you see
• Go to the library and look for books on a topic that interests your child
• Teach your child a new skill
• Have a playdate
• Cook something in the kitchen together or plant some seeds in the garden

Written by Senali Alahakone – Speech Pathologist at De Silva Kids Clinic.

As you know, due to COVID-19, we now offer telehealth sessions which can either be requested by the clinician or by the parent. Here at DeSilva Kids Clinic, we use Zoom to deliver our sessions.

Here are some tips to get the best out of your telehealth session:
• Familiarise yourself and your child with the software by downloading it and practicing using it with the video on. This will reduce anxiety and will not overwhelm both you and your child.
• Remove distractions from the environment. This means placing the device (that will be used for Telehealth) in a location where there are minimal distractions (i.e. a quiet room).
• Get actively involved in sessions. This provides a great opportunity for parents to engage in therapy and will provide parents with valuable skills to implement activities as well as learn how to best support your child at home.
• Prepare any required resources and have materials ready prior to the session. If there are any required resources or materials to be ready prior to the session, the clinician will let you know prior to the session.
• Ask questions – don’t be afraid to ask questions from your clinician. Your clinician is there to guide you and answer any questions you may have.

Senali Alahakone – Speech Pathologist at De Silva Kids Clinic

Stay Informed:
– Ensure to access RELIABLE and ACCURATE information
– Some reliable sources include: www.health.gov.au, www. healthdirect.gov.au, or the Coronavirus information line 1800 020 080

Staying Healthy and Calm:
– Maintain a healthy diet, exercise, and sleep regime
– Talk to loved ones about worries and concerns
– Engage in hobbies and enjoyable activities
– Avoid or reduce the use of alcohol or tobacco
– Limit media exposure – excess media exposure to coverage of stressful events can result in negative mental health outcomes

Helping Children and Adolescents:
– Provide age appropriate and accurate information – correct misinformation or misunderstandings
– Encourage children to share their concerns
– Children model their parents’ behaviour. The way you behave can have a significant influence on children
– Model health-promoting behaviours – washing hands with soap and water, wearing face masks
– Educate the entire family about good health habits
– Include children in family discussions and plans in an age-appropriate way
– Address misconceptions that may result in stigmatising people or groups of people in the community

If quarantining or self-isolating:
– Maintain a normal daily routine – make time for some exercise
– Stay connected with family and friends using social media and over the phone
– Use your time purposefully, e.g., working from home or getting work sent to you
– Take advantage of the time to do things that you have wanted to do like reading a book or learning a new skill

When to seek help:
– It is normal and understandable to experience emotional distress during these times
– If experiencing SEVERE emotional distress or mental health issues, you can speak with your GP or mental health practitioner

Written by Marisa Donnoli – Psychologist at De Silva Kids Clinic

1. Develop a routine – Set reasonable sleep and wake times. Write a schedule that includes time for work as well as self-care. Remember to dress. Get showered and dressed in comfortable clothes daily. Try to avoid remaining in pyjamas all day
2. Get out at least once a day – for activities such as shopping, getting a take-away coffee, or for a walk
3. Stay connected with others – ensure to make time for this daily, e.g., phone calls, FaceTime, texts, Skype
4. Stay hydrated and eat well – try to avoid over-indulging, forgetting to eat, or avoiding food. Ensure to drink plenty of water
5. Spend extra time playing with children – Children sometimes do not communicate how they are feeling, but will often request attention and communication through play
6. Expect behavioural issues in children – this may be due to disruption to their routine, boredom, increased anxiety, etc. Try not to introduce major behavioural plans or consequences at this time
7. Limit social media and COVID-19 conversation – especially around children. Information can often be sensationalised, negatively skewed, and alarmist. Find a trusted source and check in consistently, no more than 2 times a day
8. Find something you can control – For example, reorganise your closet or bookshelves, re-arrange furniture, or group your children’s toys. Controlling a small part of your life can help to anchor you
9. Reach out for help – your team is here for you. Although we are physically distant, we can always connect remotely
10. Remind yourself daily that this is temporary – although it may be a scary and difficult time, it WILL pass

Written by Marisa Donnoli – Psychologist at De Silva Kids Clinic

The concept of the Zone of Regulation is to support individuals who have difficulty self-regulating and manage their feelings.

The Zones are a categorical and cognitive behavioural approach that therapists use in order to support and teach self-regulation. This approach is aimed to categorise 4 coloured zones which provide strategies to support individuals identify, acknowledge and explore their emotions, feelings, behaviours and manage their sensory needs. The Zone of Regulation is a concept that uses visuals to help individuals understand and express their feelings and level of alertness and explore how it may influence their behaviours.

The four zones that are:

The Red Zone: This is used to identify when an individual is in their heightened state of alertness and feeling intense emotions. These emotions may include anger, physical behaviour, terror or rage.

The Yellow Zone: This is used to identify when an individual is in a state of emotion that is elevated and nearing the Red Zone. An individual may experience sense of worry, excitement, silliness or nervousness.

The Green Zone: This is used to identify when an individual is in a state of calmness. Individuals identified in this zone may display feelings and behaviours of happiness, content or focused. The Green Zone is the zone where optimal learning will occur.

The Blue Zone: This is used to identify when an individual is in a low state of alertness. The emotions or behaviours shown may be the individual feeling sad, tired sick or bored.

Written by Amie Li, Occupational Therapist for De Silva Kids Clinic.