Simple Suggestions to Help You Reduce Screen Time for Your Child

Too much screen time means that the child is spending more time in the virtual world than the real world, it means that they have less time to practice picking up on social cues from face to face interactions, playing with peers etc. It is imperative for every parent to take action to reduce child’s screen watching time.

Excessive screen watching can have an adverse impact on the child’s behaviour and psychology!

Here,are some ideas which will help you take control on how much time your kid spends watching screens. These won’t cost you an arm and a leg. These are some changes which you need to bring in your life to reduce child’s screen watching time.

SET A GOOD EXAMPLE:

Sorry to start with the toughest one, but there is nowhere else to start! What you do, will demonstrate to the kids, what is okay to do. If they see you reading a book, they are more likely to read. And if they see you watching TV, spending a lot of time with your gadgets, so will they! By reducing TV viewing time, you will set an example for your kid, and do yourself a favor, too!

EXPLAIN IT TO YOUR KIDS:

It is your job to encourage healthy behaviours and limit unhealthy ones- sometimes this means making unpopular decisions. Explain to them that how excessive TV viewing has no returns and that other activities in life are being neglected.

ENCOURAGING READING:

Inculcate the habit of reading in your kids. Start with simple books, encourage them to read and read aloud to them too. Reading will reduce child’s screen watching time, wean child from mobile, TV, gadgets. It will also enhance their creativity and imagination.

This also creates a wonderful opportunity for you to spend meaningful time with your child. Reading is best enriching activity that you can do with your child.

REWARD YOUR KID:

Once your child accepts the reduced TV viewing plan, reinforce their habit with rewards. The rewards might be like going to amusement park or museums together. That’s another way to spend quality time with your child.