DOI: 10.46298/fajpc.19418 ISSN: 3130-334X

Preventing screen time in children aged 3 to 6: creation of a children's picture book

Emmanuelle Morival, Hélène Vaillant-Roussel, Mickaël Bigeault
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Context. Screen time for children aged 3–6 years should remain the exception, be limited in duration, and be supervised by an adult. In 2022, French children aged 3–5 years spent an average of 1 hour 22 minutes a day on screens. Activities such as reading, which are beneficial to a child’s development, are sometimes neglected in favor of screen time.Objective. To create a children’s book aimed at children aged 3 to 6, with the aim of preventing inappropriate screen use. This book is designed to provide both children and their carers with an interactive reading experience that encourages discussion about screens and their potential risks.Methods. The content was defined and validated using a modified nominal group consensus method. The book’s design wasbased on the principles of dialogic interactive reading and on Sabine Duflo’s four-step method.Results. The nominal group comprised 11 members, including health professionals, education professionals, communication experts and parents. The book features five anthropomorphic characters facing problematic situations involving screens, followed by a sixth character who offers advice. The proposed interactions were inspired by a questionnaire designed to identifyinappropriate screen use. Two parenting guides are also included in the book.Conclusion. Choosing a children’s book as a mean of prevention enabled it to serve as a mediation tool between children and their environment. It was the first prevention book on screen use developed using a consensus-based method. The book could serve as a resource during consultations, helping to meet parents’ expectations by addressing the topic of the screen uses more regularly and comprehensively.

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