If the world has transformed with the internet, social networks, and the mass adoption of mobile devices, childhood has too. In a hyper-connected era, contact with nature, outdoor play, and time away from screens are already appearing as medical prescriptions.
With 29 years of practice in the office, Renata Aniceto, a member of the Scientific Department of Outpatient Pediatrics of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP), highlights that she already prescribes in her guidelines, in addition to healthy eating and vaccination, time for parent-child interaction.
“I want you to have two hours of park play on the weekend, home experiences, take the children to cook, to play board games. It’s a throwback. This generation of parents doesn’t know how to play with their children because they come from a screen-connected phase,” she warns.
She reports observing a gigantic behavioral shift, especially with the introduction of screens, cell phones, and tablets into family daily life.
“There was a disconnection between parents and children. Because not only are children spending more time on screens, parents are too. In the office, there are far more cases of anxiety and depression, conditions we didn’t even study in our [pediatrics] training and now we have to deal with. It’s a moment that’s very connected and disconnected at the same time, with this human disconnection,” says the pediatrician.
Angela Uchoa Branco, professor in the Department of School Psychology and Development at the University of Brasília (UnB), reinforces the importance of in-person play, face-to-face with other children and adults. For older children, she recommends board games.
“Games and free play are fundamental for child development. Dialogued storytelling, reading to the child before bed, leaving children’s books available to foster creativity and a love for reading. And, whenever possible, take the child outdoors to play and interact with nature,” affirms Angela.
Agência Brasil spoke with doctors, psychologists, and experts to gather tips for a healthier childhood. Check them out:
More play, less screen
If in the past childhood was marked by street games and free time, today it blends with cell phone screens, notifications, and online interactions. Renata stresses that, beyond losses in interactions and social bonds, excess screen time can also impair brain and cognitive development.
“Excess screens stimulate areas that aren’t so essential and can lead to loss of skills like focus, attention, memory, and problem-solving. These generations are having more difficulty with communication and learning. Plus, less body movement means higher obesity rates,” she explains.
Last year, the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP) updated guidelines on appropriate screen time for each age group.
• From 0 to 2 years: no screens, even passively;
• From 2 to 5 years: one hour per day, with supervision from parents or guardians;
• From 6 to 10 years: one to two hours per day, maximum, and always supervised;
• From 11 to 18 years: two to three hours per day, and never let it ‘go all night’.
The executive director of NGO Vaga Lume, Lia Jamra, who has worked in education across the nine states of Legal Amazonia for 25 years, emphasizes the importance of promoting reading over digital content.
“It’s very important for parents and caregivers to take the initiative to read to the child to help them step away from screens. Reading has a huge socio-emotional impact on building repertoire, worldview, and the ability to dream. Childhood in the Amazon is healthier. Various outdoor activities are part of this child’s routine, like a 
dive in the river,” says Lia.
Sleep
Quality sleep is one of the fundamental pillars for healthy child development. Proper rest is directly linked to physical, cognitive, and emotional growth. In this area too, Renata notes that screens can be villains to children’s health;
“Using screens at night keeps the screen light in the brain longer, reducing melatonin production, the hormone responsible for initiating sleep. This makes it harder for the child to fall asleep and leads to more frequent nighttime awakenings,” she highlights.
The doctor explains that sleep isn’t just for rest, but a time when neurological processes occur.
“The consolidation of daytime learnings happens during this nighttime period. Many hormones are secreted at night, like growth hormone and those regulating hunger and satiety, which can affect appetite and weight gain,” she states.
Dialogue
UnB professor Angela Uchoa also emphasizes the importance of respectful dialogues to foster an education that sets boundaries while boosting children’s self-esteem, without physical punishment.
“It’s essential to always choose the right moment to talk and set limits through dialogue. We must have zero tolerance for aggression, but maintain a respectful attitude and model how to respond when something bothers us. Respect begets respect; show affection so the child feels loved and praise what they do well. This builds self-esteem, crucial for their full development as a human being,” completes the UnB professor.
Nutrition
At 6 months of age, when the first teeth usually appear, the baby begins complementary feeding. This phase is key to shaping the child’s future eating habits, says professor Diana Barbosa Cunha from the Institute of Social Medicine at the State University of Rio de Janeiro (Uerj).
She notes that poor habits in childhood can persist lifelong, becoming risk factors for chronic diseases like heart conditions, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and others.
“This phase should be relaxed, with the goal of introducing foods to the baby. Breast milk remains the primary food. Guidelines recommend starting complementary feeding at 6 months, aiming for full adaptation to family meals by age 2,” says the professor.
Diana stresses that the family must eat properly as a model, focusing on minimally processed foods like grains, legumes, meats, and fruits.
“Restrict ultra-processed foods. Encourage child autonomy by offering healthy choices. Take kids to the market to pick foods. Involve them in food prep like washing and cutting. This builds a positive relationship with eating,” concludes the professor.
Source: Agência Brasil