It is amazing that toddlers can operate iPhones, iPads, tablets, and laptops as well as most adults. When it comes to technology, kids are adapting at younger and younger ages. As kids get older, they may start playing video games. Minecraft, Wii, XBox… there are so many options available. Kids don’t understand how or when to limit themselves, so they’ll need some help from you.
When you notice technology is starting to interfere with family time it’s time to cut it off. When everyone in the house is on their computer, playing video games or watching TV, you aren’t interacting with each other in a quality way. Family game nights are fun, but nothing can take the place of a good face-to-face talk or hearing about your child’s day, with no distractions.
Studies show that children who get too much “screen time” may have shorter attention spans. When your young children already have the attention span of a gnat, this is not a good thing.
Physical Activity in children is important. The more time they sit in front of the television or computer the less time they spend being active. Make sure that they are getting up, out and moving. Encourage outside/creative non technology time daily before allowing them to settle in and play a video game.
Here are a few ways to help set boundaries on your screen time:
1. Timers- the most simple and straightforward way is to set a time allowed for each day and use a timer to signal start and end times.
2. Earning Time- Use small cards to make chore cards. On the front of the cards, put tasks such as “Feed dog” or “Clear table.” On the back of the card, put a time such as 10 min or 15 min. When the child completes the task, they put the card in a jar. As the week goes on, they can pull cards out of the jar and “redeem” them with you for time. Just make sure you don’t create too many cards or they will have too much time available.
3. Create a Priority List. This is what we do at my house. I made a checklist of things that MUST be done before computers or games can be turned on. Our list is in order of importance:
Homework finished
Backpack packed up
Room picked up
Shoes/clothes put away
What methods work for your family?
