The hardest problem for parents to deal with in the modern digital age is smartphones. Forget about homework, parties, or booze. Children who spend a lot of time in front of screens are more susceptible to being overweight, aggression, laziness, and academic difficulties. Our generation is growing socially isolated as a result of having smartphones continuously lodged in their palms. In place of their family and friends, children are getting extremely sensitive about how they are viewed online.
This is an alarming situation so you have to moderately control the use of smartphones for your children. Limiting your child’s screen time seems like a battle too difficult to fight or an impossible chore. But you need to fight as it is worth fighting for.
It is important to explore other ways of entertaining your children that do not have them glued to their devices. The following list are some useful alternatives to engage your children in creative and fun activities instead of being online.
1. Plan family time
As parents, you have to take time from your busy routines to plan a healthy lifestyle for your children. It is your responsibility to encourage healthy behaviors and limit unhealthy ones. Talk to your children and have meals together. You should plan and spend a few hours with your children and teach them to enjoy their relationships within your family circle.
Children often spend hours online because we neglect them or are busy with other activities so are happy not to be disturbed. It doesn’t matter how busy you are, you really should prioritise spending quality time with your children to make beautiful memories as they will not be children forever.
2. The great outdoors calls
There is nothing like free air and being outdoors to bring out that spirit of childlike wonder. Activities like playing in the park, walking and gardening can be a fun way to engage with your children. Plant a garden in your backyard or buy some pots to plant flowers or anything they like. Guide them about nature and try to build their interest in it. Gardening can be helpful for your children to have a better understanding of the concepts of photosynthesis and other processes.
This hobby can help to cut-short the screen time of your children. Gardening induces feelings of care, love, sacrifice, and attachment.
3. Healthy habits
You should try to develop healthy habits in your children from an early age. Do not let your toddlers engage with screens unnecessarily. Early exposure to hours and hours of screen time can result in technology addiction. Try replacing smartphones and tablets with paperback books. Readout stories from books at their bedtime so they can develop this habit.
Expose them to different activities like exercise, meditation, eating healthy, gymnastic, cleaning rooms, ride a bike or whatever they would like to do to build good habits that will serve them for life.
4. Creative games
Engage your kids in creative game activities that help to develop creative and strategic thinking. Working on a puzzle on their own builds confidence in them. Children like to spend hours and hours playing games online if not supervised. You can help them by encouraging them to try outdoor games instead of online.
Not every child is a sports lover. You should find a suitable activity according to their interests. If your child hasn’t found their interests or favorite sports niche yet, encourage them to keep on trying.
5. Be a role-model
Children don’t behave in the way you tell them to do instead they act like mimics. They usually copy their elders and adopt their habits. If you want to limit their screen time, you should limit your media use first. Keep family gatherings, meals, and rooms screen-free. Don’t excessively use smartphones in front of them.
Talk to your children and engage with them in communication. Ask about their school matters, their friends, their interests, and any topics that may be interesting to explore.
These are the 5 most useful alternative ways to engage your children in some creative and developmental activities instead of being online all the time. Do you have any activities that you have found really effective in engaging your children? Please share with our tribe below. It takes a village!