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Screens are everywhere these days—TVs, tablets, phones, and computers are a big part of daily life in most homes. For young children, screens can be fun and even educational, but have you ever noticed your child getting moody, cranky, or even angry after screen time? Or maybe they seem anxious or upset when it’s time to turn off the device? Many parents are seeing these patterns, and it’s not just random reactions. What’s really going on? The truth is, too much screen time can affect a child’s developing brain, especially in areas that help with emotional regulation.

Two main causes of these changes are overstimulation from fast-paced content and withdrawal when screen time ends. So, how can we help children find a healthier balance? And what signs should we watch for? Understanding how screen time affects behaviour is the first step in helping kids manage their emotions in a positive way.

Overstimulation: When the Brain Gets Too Much

Overstimulation happens when a child’s brain gets more information than it can handle. Things like fast-moving videos, video games, and social media have bright colours, loud sounds, and quick changes that excite the brain. This makes the brain release dopamine, a chemical that feels good. But too much of this can overwhelm the brain, especially in young children. It’s like being in a loud, busy place for too long-it gets exhausting.

Warning Signs of Too Much Screen Time

• Restlessness or hyperactivity after screen time
• Difficulty transitioning to quiet or calm tasks
• Irritability when asked to stop using a device
• Trouble focusing or staying calm
• Trouble sleeping or falling asleep at night

What Is Withdrawal?

When screen time suddenly stops, the brain feels a quick drop in stimulation and dopamine, which can feel like a crash. For children, this change is hard to handle, especially if they are still learning emotional regulation. This doesn’t mean they are addicted, but their brain misses the fast rewards that screen time gives—just like how we might feel off when we cut back on things like sugar or caffeine.

Signs of screen withdrawal

• Mood swings or anger when screen time ends
• Anxiety or boredom without a device
• Difficulty enjoying non-digital activities
• Increased sensitivity to frustration

What Can Parents Do?

If parents notice these signs early, they can help build better screen habits that support children’s emotional well-being and protect their mental health. Understanding these effects doesn’t mean you have to cut out screens completely. But it does mean that setting healthy boundaries is key.

Here are some practical tips to help manage screen time and emotional outbursts:

• Set clear routines with regular screen time limits so kids know what to expect.
• Give gentle warnings before screen time ends to help them transition more calmly to other activities.
• Offer fun screen-free options like outdoor play, book reading, drawing, or playing with toys to keep their minds active in different ways.
• Turn off screens an hour before bed to help their brains unwind for sleep.
• Stay calm during breakdowns—your patience helps them learn to manage their own feelings.

Screens can be a great tool when used mindfully. However, if children show strong emotions after using devices, it could mean their brains are feeling overstimulated or having trouble adjusting. By recognizing the signs of overstimulation and withdrawal, parents can respond with care and create a routine that helps kids feel calmer and more balanced. This makes it easier for them to enjoy both screen time and real-world activities.

Care for Your Child’s Well-Being at Aloha Kids Clinic

If you notice these signs, it’s important to pay attention, especially during early childhood. The sooner you address these concerns, the easier they are to manage If needed, don’t hesitate to consult your pediatrician for guidance. At Aloha Kids Clinic, our trained professionals are here to assist you every step of the way in promoting your child’s health and development.

In our previous blog, we talked about emotional dysregulation and the signs that show why kids might be using screens to cope with their emotions. In today’s blog, we will share easy and practical ways to help your child learn how to manage emotions. These ideas are simple, work well, and can be used at home or while you are out. Let’s guide our kids to handle big feelings in a healthy way by practicing mindfulness and building emotional strength.

Simple and Practical Ways to Help Kids Calm Down Without Mobile or TV

Kids often go through mood swings—feeling angry, upset, sad, or full of energy all of a sudden. Many times, we give them a phone or turn on cartoons to help them settle down. While this may calm them quickly, it doesn’t teach them how to deal with their emotions on their own. Here are some simple and everyday ideas that suit family routines and common parenting styles. These suggestions can help your child calm down, understand their feelings, and build emotional regulation without a screen.

1.Give Them a Quiet Corner

Make a small quiet corner at home with a mat, a soft pillow, and maybe your child’s favourite toy or book. When they feel upset, calmly take them to this spot. Calmly tell them this is not a time-out and you are with them. It’s a calm space where your child can feel secure and settle down.

2. Teach Simple Breathing

Make deep breathing fun by turning it into a game. Ask them to imagine blowing up a balloon or say, “Smell the flower, blow out the candle” to help them breathe in deeply and exhale slowly. Practicing this when calm will help them use it when upset.

3. Use Water to Cool Down

Water can be a simple and calming tool for many children. You can ask them to splash water on their face, give them a glass of water to drink slowly, or let them wash their hands. These small actions can help shift their focus and make them feel refreshed.

4. Involve Them in a Small Chore

Simple household tasks can help children feel calm and focused, as doing something with their hands releases stress.. You can ask them to help fold clothes, water the plants, or sort rice or dals.

5. Using Chart and Drawing for Expressions

Use a simple emotion chart with faces showing feelings like happy, sad, or angry to help your child develop emotional awareness. Ask, “Which face are you feeling today?” Reassure them with, “It’s okay to feel like this.” You can also give them a notebook and crayons to draw or write about their emotions.

6. Offer Clear, Simple Choices

When your child is feeling upset, keep things simple by offering two options, such as “Do you want to sit quietly or have some water?” or “Would you like to go for a walk or draw?” This helps them feel more in control and reduces the chance of arguing.

7. Stay Calm and Lead by Example

When your child is upset, staying calm makes a big difference. Instead of raising your voice, lower it and say things like, “I’m here. Let’s calm down.” Children learn by watching, so if you’re upset, show them how you handle it, like saying, “I’m upset. I’ll drink water and come back.” By staying calm, you teach them how to do the same.

Are they hungry or sleepy? These are common triggers for emotional outbursts in kids. When children are tired or hungry, they often lose control, just like adults do. Instead of handing them a screen to distract them, it’s important to understand the root cause of their emotions. Make sure they get enough rest and eat regularly, as these simple steps can help prevent emotional meltdowns and teach them how to manage their feelings better.

Teaching emotional regulation doesn’t need screens or apps. What it needs is your time, patience, and a few simple tools. By regularly practicing these easy steps with love and care, you can help your child build strong emotional skills that will last. You don’t have to be perfect—just be there to support them as they learn.

If you are unsure how to help your child, especially based on their age, talking to a pediatrician is a good idea. They can provide advice and simple tips to support your child’s emotional development. Ultimately, it’s about creating a calm and supportive environment where your child can learn to understand and manage their emotions, step by step.

If you are a parent feeling overwhelmed by how much time your child spends in front of a screen, you are definitely not alone. It’s tempting to point the finger at phones, tablets, and video games—especially when they seem to disrupt family time, sleep, and even your child’s mood. But what if screens are not the root cause? What if they are simply a symptom of a deeper issue?

The truth is, excessive screen time often points to something deeper, a coping strategy, a way for kids to deal with emotions they have not yet learned to process or express. Instead of viewing screen overuse in children as the problem itself, consider it a warning sign—an alert calling for your attention.

What Your Child’s Tech Use Might Be Telling You

Too much screen time for kids can be a sign of emotional struggles. This is called emotional dysregulation—when a child has trouble handling their feelings in a healthy way. Instead of asking for help or seeking other ways to cope, they rely on the screen, which can lead to negative effects over time. It’s not about being lazy or disobedient—it’s a way to manage their feelings.

Here are some signs your child might be using screen time to deal with emotions:

• Your child reacts with frustration, anger, or anxiety when asked to stop using the screen.
• Screens are used to avoid boredom, conflict, or challenging tasks.
• You notice sleep problems, less interest in real-world activities, or changes in mood.
• There are intense emotional reactions before or after screen time, which may also affect language development or physical health over time.

Spotting the Underlying Issues

Just like adults, kids seek comfort when they are feeling bored, stressed, anxious, or alone. Today, the easiest way for many children to feel better is by using a screen. Watching videos, playing games, or scrolling can help them avoid hard feelings.

When a child frequently grabs a device, it’s important to consider the emotions or situations that they are trying to escape or cope with. Some common emotional roots of excessive screen use include:

• Feeling stressed or pressured by school or social situations.
• Being bored or not having enough physical activities .
• Feeling lonely or distant from family and friends.
• Worrying about real-life problems or expectations they find hard to handle.

If your child becomes irritable when screen time ends, seems more withdrawn, or gets anxious without their device, these could be signs that screens are serving a deeper emotional need.

Connection before Correction

It is normal to want to set time limits and follow screen rules—but before you use a timer or take the device away, try to connect with your child first. When you stay curious instead of getting upset, your child is more likely to open up and share how they are really feeling. You can ask gentle, open questions such as:

• “What do you like most about your screen time?”
• “Have you been feeling something lately that’s hard to talk about?”

Helping Your Child Cope Differently

If screens are being used as an emotional escape, the goal isn’t just to cut down screen time—it’s to replace that habit with healthier choices. Help your child develop better ways to manage their feelings by:

• Setting up calm spaces or quiet time routines
• Teaching easy activities like breathing exercises or journaling
• Encouraging screen-free ways to relax, such as music, art, or physical activity
• Showing them your own healthy screen habits and self-care practices

Make time for small, regular connections throughout the day. Whether it’s a quick walk, sharing a meal, or having a bedtime conversation, these moments can boost their mental health and social skills.

A Shift in Perspective

You don’t have to remove screens from your child’s life completely. Screens are a part of how we learn, connect, and relax today. But if you notice your child using screens too much, it’s not about blaming them but about understanding why. Rather than asking, “How can I stop this?” try thinking, “What is my child’s behaviour trying to show me?”.

If you are unsure how to navigate emotional dysregulation, reach out to your pediatrician. Aloha Kids Clinic is a compassionate, family-centred pediatric practice committed to your child’s well-being. The team provides expert care and personalised advice to help families grow and succeed.

The experience of bringing a newborn into the world is both wonderful and life-changing, particularly when it comes to breastfeeding. While nursing may seem like a natural instinct to many new parents, in reality it often requires patience, practice, and a little guidance. Knowing the basics of breastfeeding can help you and your child have a more satisfying experience, regardless of whether you are a first-time mother or just looking for comfort. Here are some essential techniques to help ensure a successful breastfeeding experience for breastfeeding a newborn.

The Importance of Skin-to-Skin Contact- Keeping your infant close to your chest increases the production of milk and strengthens your relationship. It’s a great method to calm your baby and yourself before nursing. Start Breastfeeding Early- If possible, breastfeeding should begin within the first hour of the baby’s birth. Colostrum, the nutrient-rich first breast milk that is loaded with antibodies to protect your baby, is helped by this early feeding. Your milk supply is also stimulated by early breastfeeding.

Get Comfortable-Choose a position that works for you and your baby. Common positions include the cradle hold, cross-cradle hold, and side-lying position. Whichever position you choose, make sure you’re comfortable and your baby’s body is aligned with their mouth level with your nipple. Avoid breast feeding while lying down. 

Ensure a Good Latch-A proper latch is essential for successful nursing. Ensure your baby’s mouth is open wide before latching them onto your breast. Use pillows to support your arms and back, and make sure your baby’s body is turned toward you for easy latching. Create a Breastfeeding Schedule-Generally speaking, newborns must be fed every two to three hours, or eight to twelve times in a 24-hour period. Watch out for signs of hunger, like hand sucking, or opening their mouth

Building and Maintaining Milk Supply-On demand feeding helps your body produce the proper amount of milk and guarantees your baby gets enough food. Stay Hydrated and Rested-Breastfeeding can be tiring, so make sure you are drinking plenty of water and taking breaks when you can. A healthy mom means a happy, healthy baby. Using a Breast Pump-For nursing mothers, pump can be a useful tool. It enables you to express breast milk for later use, which is very helpful if you need some flexibility or are going back to work. If your infant isn’t breastfeeding as much, pumping might help keep your milk flow going and ease fullness. Breastfeeding is a unique opportunity to bond with your child while giving them the healthiest diet possible. Soon, it will come naturally to you with effort and patience!

When to Seek Help

If you are experiencing pain, trouble latching, or problems with your milk production, please do not hesitate to contact a lactation consultant or healthcare provider. To make nursing enjoyable, they can provide support and direction.

At Aloha Kids Clinic, we are here to support you as you navigate the journey of nourishing your newborn with breast milk. Whether you are looking for advice, assistance, or just someone to talk to, our team is dedicated to helping you navigate the challenges of parenthood. Additionally, we offer vaccinations to keep your little one healthy and protected as they grow. Together, let’s ensure a happy and healthy beginning for your little one!