Today, children spend more of their time online or in front of a screen, like Tv, computers, Mobile phones, etc. And now, as all the schools are taking classes online due to the Covid-19 pandemic, parents are really concerned about how to manage their children’s screen time with other activities. Studies are important but it is also equally important to maintain some limits on media use. Parents may not have much control over their children due to their dependency on the internet. But, as a parent, what you can do is help your kids learn using TV & internet wisely. Following are a few important tips on how you can help your children:
Take Time for Break
Setting up a daily schedule that includes regular breaks from screens, can really be helpful. It can be sort of a family “recess.” Children can use this time to get up and stretch, play or walk around the house, neighborhood or yard. Let your family members take turns choosing an activity.
According to some studies, parents should schedule a 10-minute break after every 20-30 minutes or so of class for younger children. Teens & older children can usually work for a long before needing a break. And the most important thing is to pause the workday to have lunch together, without screens.
Foster Online Learning
Although the internet offers plenty of ways for kids to mindlessly pass time, it can also be used as an educational tool. There are many good resources for online learning that are fun and help educate kids while they’re watching. YouTube is really a good platform for such things. You can ask your child’s teacher for recommendations related to their syllabus or you can also recommend them something useful.
Fit in Longer Workouts
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children of ages 6 and older need at least one hour of exercise a day. The kids who are younger than age 6 need to be active throughout the day. Try to build at least one hour of exercise into your child’s schedule each day.
There are several online platforms that teach exercises online in a simple way. If your child really enjoys screen, they can follow such platforms for physical activities. You can also take them outside for a walk, bike ride, physical exercises, or ball game.
Connect With Others
Parents need to encourage their children to use screen time in a way that promotes connection and interaction with others. For example, when your child wants to meet a long-distance friend or cousin, you can let them use social media or video chats to stay in touch. They can have an online dance party with friends or watch a movie with grandparents. Online opportunities are endless, you just need to learn the skill of using the internet wisely.
Set Screen-Free Zones and Curfews
It is a very good idea to set a screen-free time in your child’s schedule every day. This time can be used for other important activities, such as sleep, family time, and exercise. You can keep all the phones out of bedrooms to charge for the evening, shut down all media use by a certain time each night, etc.
These were some tips on using TV & internet wisely for your children. Learn to limit their screen-time. Nothing is good in excess!
Also Read:
- 10 benefits of playing video games
- spending quality time with your kid
- 5 negative effects of video games
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