The Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, a nonprofit that funds and manages quality early education programs to ensure every young child is prepared to succeed in both school and life, is calling on South Florida parents to join “Unplug and Connect” efforts in 2017 by spending less time on their digital devices and more quality time with their children.
“The increased use of mobile devices by parents has led young children to miss out on valuable, one-on-one adult interaction and taken time away from the very kinds of family activities that stimulate developmental growth,” said Adrian Alfonso, board chair of the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe.
“Unplug and Connect” is an effort to encourage parents to spend time with their children engaging in conversation, singing and reading activities that helps stimulate their children’s personal and intellectual growth. Additionally, the campaign promotes parents as their children’s first teacher. It calls on parents to sign a petition agreeing to unplug from their mobile and digital devices, and instead connect one-on-one with their children.
Research shows that reading just 15 minutes a day with a child, maximizes brain development and kindergarten readiness. Nearly 85 percent of a child’s critical brain development occurs by age 5, which makes one-on-one interaction with parents — coupled with access to quality early education — extremely valuable during this timeframe.
“Disconnecting from mobile devices to spend quality time talking, reading or even singing with your children helps them develop emotionally, intellectually and socially,” said Evelio C. Torres, president and CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe.
“Our hope is that by taking the step to sign the petition, parents will be more cognizant of their screen time around children and make a real effort to set aside their digital devices at home.”
Parents can pledge to “Unplug and Connect” by visiting www.unplug.elcmdm.org. In addition, by visiting the site parents can gather tips and ideas on simple, everyday moments and ways in which they can connect with their children, such as meal, bath and play time.
As Florida’s largest provider of early education, the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe also participates in the Too Small to Fail campaign alongside Univision Miami and other local partners to raise awareness about the benefits of language-rich interactions between parents and children.
