8 Ways To Limit Your Child’s Screen Time

Nowadays the children as young as 6 months old age like watching screens of smartphones, tabs, and televisions. Learn how to limit your child’s digital screen time through these 8 interesting ways.

Little John is not yet 1 year old, and very fond of his iPad. He watches nursery rhymes and cartoons on it. He stops crying immediately if he gets to watch the rhymes. And he doesn’t eat anything without watching something on the iPad. He gets extremely annoyed if it is taken away from his hands or if his nursery rhyme stops playing.

Rhea is a 3 years old bubbly girl and she loves to play games on her mother’s smartphone. She expertly plays all her favourite games and spends hours on the smartphone. She has learnt to download games as well and downloads as many games as she wants. Do you find these situations familiar? Or does it happen at your house?

There are numbers of reasons behind it like the easy availability of the internet, smartphones, tabs, and unavailability of elders to give time to children. Today we will focus on how to stop it or at least limit your child’s screen time.

Have a quick look at these pointers by many mommies for the #overalldevelopment movement:

1. Avoid giving tab to kids for playing games and watching videos, as it might become a stubborn habit. However cranky a child might be, don’t give a screen.

2. For older kids, It’s best to set a  limit for using screens. Decide a time window and give screens only for the designated time.

   

   Never miss real stories from India's women.

   Register Now

Tricks to solve the problems created by screens

1. Activity:

Loads of activities that can keep your child busy and away from the screens. Check for your child’s interest and If possible send your older than 4-5 years children to activity classes. e.g. Dancing, singing, painting, drawing, swimming. While at home ask your child to do his/her favourite activities.

2. Spend time with children:

This is an extremely important point. If parents/caregivers spend time with children, they won’t go watching screens. Parents have to set an example by keeping themselves away from screens and spending time with children. During weekdays parents can distribute days in between them and spend that day with children for playing, studying.

3. Games and Puzzles:

Playing various games and puzzles helps children in mental development. So buy games and puzzles for your child as per his/ her age. (Every time buying is not an ideal option. so exchange games with same aged kids. Make a group of mommies in neighbourhood and exchange games, toys and puzzles.)

4.Art and craft:

Art and craft is good entertainment for children and helps to keep them engaged. Buy art and craft supplies like origami papers, beads, threads, ice cream sticks and encourage to make projects. Decorate your house with these cute creations of your child to appreciate them. (Thousands of videos on art and craft are available on YouTube. Select a simple according to your child’s age).

5.Indoor Play:

Best way to refrain children from watching screens is to make them play more. Children of all age like to play, so play with your children as and when possible. Plan play dates with other children and encourages to play.

6.Outdoor play:

Take your kids outdoor, playgrounds as much as you can. Play badminton, cricket, soccer, tennis like sports with them. Playing outdoors help them with physical and mental development and have a healthy lifestyle. The even unstructured play is extremely helpful for growing children. Encourage them from a young age to play outdoor sports.

7. Have a pet:

It’s a cool idea to have a pet at home for your child. As children need company and someone to play and talk with them. If you have a pet at your house, the child will be engaged in talking, playing with the pet. (If you don’t like pets then can go for a small turtle also.)

8. Assign Tasks

Here comes an interesting part for mommy. If you could get little-helping hands for doing the household chores, it’s great. If your child is older than 3-4-year-old start assigning small tasks to keep them busy.  E.g. Arranging toys, folding small clothes Packing school bag. It will help them to be independent and responsible. They will learn to do their own things from a young age.

So if you are also a concerned mom who wants to restrict her child’s screen time and make them indulge in actual activities then this is your solution. Also if you have any other ideas that you would like to share please put them down in the comment box and till then unleash these tips for the #overalldevelopment of your child.

Image Source – Pixabay

Comments