Do you know that even 2 hours of screen time daily can harm your kid’s health? Yes, you read that right. As little as 2 hours of screen time greatly impacts the thinking and language skills of your little ones.
The experts recommend avoiding or limiting screen time for toddlers and young kids. So, if your kid is addicted to TV or mobile screens and you are searching for ways to reduce screen time, you have come to the right place.
Undoubtedly, family time spent together can be greatly helpful in limiting screen time. In persuasion, we have curated the rock-solid family time ideas to help you avoid or reduce screen time.
6 family time ideas for reducing screen time
- Focus on family meals
The first and foremost idea is to strictly make the family meal time a screen-free time. This time should be dedicated to all the family members focusing on eating, appreciating food, and interacting with each other.
Several studies reveal families considering having meals together with their TVs switched on. However, you must take a step forward and make this time screen-less.
Research also reveals that when having a meal together as a family without screens has many benefits for you, including:
- Developing healthy relationships amongst family members
- Develops healthier diet choices
- Lowers risks of obesity
- Encourage children to read books
There isn’t any requirement to mention the extensive range of children’s books available today. These books come with beautiful and eye-catching illustrations.
Undoubtedly, these are the right things to grab your child’s attention. In addition, this way, you will be able to instill a passion for reading in your children.
- Encourage different activities among children.
Different activities engagement is a highly effective way to reduce screen time. It would help if you planned for activities that can be enjoyed together as family-like board games and crafts making.
In addition, there are several activity boxes for children which help them to instill constructive and creative thoughts in themselves.
Another great activity is the cubby house. Kids love them, especially when they come with prints of their favorite characters. So, explore the cubby houses online to reduce screen time. It is an ideal way to develop problem-solving, creative thinking, and imaginative play among your kids.
- Interact with the kids
Interacting with your kids is another proven way to reduce screen time. To interact with your kids, you can simply talk to them about different things, play games with them, read to them, or do anything you and your children enjoy doing together.
They feel occupied and entertained when you interact with them and spend time with them. So, there isn’t any urge left in them to sit in front of screens. Indeed, this is a great and natural way to reduce screen time as a family.
- Go outside
The other proven tip is to put down phones, turn off screens, and simply step out of your home. It could be either walking or playing outdoors. Outdoor activities offer immense health benefits, including:
- Increases endorphins, a feel good hormone
- It fills your brain with happiness
- Boosts your mood
- Improves your physical health
- Explain the reason for reducing screen time
When the children understand the reasons behind you limiting the screen time, as too much time spent in front of screens has downsides, they will follow the rules set by you. However, when kids don’t understand, they think you are mean. So, they resist or break the rules.
Therefore, explaining to your kid why you are limiting the screen times is essential. In addition, you should explain to them the adverse effects of too much screen time. Finally, if the kid uses the internet, discuss the dangers of online predators with them.
Lastly, you must ensure that such discussions are carried out in front of all the family members. So, all of you understand, appreciate, and follow the rules set for screen time.
Conclusion
There are several ideas to limit screen time at home. The idea is to sit together as a family and discuss the pros and cons, the recommended screen timings for varied age groups, make rules, and agree to follow them.
Children want your attention; when you engage with them with a creative activity, they completely forget screens. Also, abide by tech-free zones such as bedrooms and dining rooms to spend quality time as a family while limiting screen times.
