Kids' corner · Comic No 11
Clara and screens
A comic to help children understand why we take a screen break before bed, make a family plan for the evening and choose a calm moment.
- 4 pages
- To read together
- Screens and sleep
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Read the comic text in English
Page 1 — Why take a break before bed?
1. Just one more video…
- The child: “One more video, Mom!”
- The mother: “Bedtime is coming. Let’s get our evening ready.”
2. Light sends a signal
- Clara: “The light from screens can delay the signal that helps your body get ready for sleep.”
3. My mind keeps going
- The child: “Even when I stop, I’m still thinking about my game!”
- Clara: “Some games and videos can keep you very awake.”
4. Time goes by fast
- Clara: “Another video can also push back bedtime.”
- Speech bubble: “So, shall we plan when to stop?”
“In the evening, I give calm time to settle in.”
Read together: what helps you calm down in the evening?
Page 2 — Our plan for the evening
1. One hour without screens
- Clara: “We turn off screens at least one hour before bedtime.”
- The child: “The tablet and the TV too?”
- Clara: “Yes, all screens.”
2. Getting ready to stop
- The mother: “We chose together when to stop. I’ll let you know a little before.”
- The child: “That way, I can save my game.”
3. Devices stay in the living room
- Clara: “We keep devices out of the bedroom. They don’t come into bed.”
4. Grown-ups too
- The mother: “I’m putting my phone down. I’m ready for our story.”
- The child: “We’re a team!”
“A habit we build as a family.”
Read together: when could we turn off screens tonight?
Page 3 — When the screen turns off
1. It’s okay to be disappointed
- The child: “But I wanted to keep going!”
- The mother: “I understand. It’s hard to stop when you’re having fun. I’m here.”
2. I choose a calm activity
- The mother: “Would you like a book or a little puzzle?”
- The child: “The puzzle with you!”
3. My routine guides me
- The mother: “We put on pajamas, brush our teeth, then read a story.”
- The child: “I know what comes next.”
4. A gentle moment
- The child: “Will you read me the bear story?”
- The mother: “We keep a calm moment to get ready for sleep.”
“A book, a cuddle, a moment together.”
Read together: which calm activity would you like to choose?
Page 4 — I keep a good balance
1. Room for everything
- Speech bubble: “With an adult, I choose content that suits my age.”
- The mother: “And we keep time to play, move and sleep.”
2. If something on screen bothers me
- The child: “The video scared me…”
- The mother: “Thank you for telling me. Let’s talk about it and choose something else.”
3. If nights are still hard
- The mother: “What if he still has trouble sleeping?”
- Clara: “Screens are not the only possible cause. If it continues, talk to a health professional.”
4. My idea for tonight
- The child: “A story and a cuddle!”
- Clara: “What would you like to do during your screen-free time?”
“I take a screen break to get ready for the night.”
Read together: what would you like to do during your screen-free time?
Note: educational comic; fictional characters; does not replace a consultation.
For parents: good to know
- The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends avoiding screens for at least one hour before bedtime and keeping screens out of the child’s bedroom.
- According to its position statement, screens at bedtime can cut into sleep time, stimulate emotions and interfere with the release of melatonin, the hormone that helps us fall asleep. Screens in the bedroom harm the length and quality of sleep.
- A family media plan helps you decide together when, for how long and which content. Parents set the example with their own screens.
- If your child is disappointed to stop, speak calmly, acknowledge their frustration and suggest another activity: reading, a puzzle, a quiet game.
- Choose age-appropriate content, watch with your child when possible and talk about what they see online. Sleep, play and physical activity come before screens.
- If sleep problems or other warning signs persist, talk to a health professional.
Sources (in French): Canadian Paediatric Society (Caring for Kids), L’utilisation des écrans et les jeunes enfants (updated March 2025) and L’utilisation des écrans et des médias numériques : des conseils aux parents d’enfants d’âge scolaire et d’adolescents (updated June 2025); M. Ponti and the Digital Health Task Force, Canadian Paediatric Society, Les médias numériques : la promotion d’une saine utilisation des écrans chez les enfants d’âge scolaire et les adolescents (June 6, 2019, reaffirmed July 4, 2025). Consulted on October 21, 2026.
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Clara's comics are intended to inform children and their parents. They do not replace a consultation or an assessment by a health professional. In an emergency, call 911. For health advice, call Info-Santé 811. Page published on October 21, 2026.