Most children these days are glued to the television all day. This habit is not just bad for their studies, but bad for their eyes as well! Here's how you can limit their TV time.

As Tanul and Tanmay fought over the remote, their mother shook her head in despair. "How can I curtail this habit," she wondered yet again. Her sons were addicted to the television, and over the weekends they insisted on watching cartoons all day.

For a child, the television is a window to the outside world. It provides effortless entertainment. At times the television keeps a child sufficiently occupied and out of the parents hair. But when TV viewing prevents the child from meeting friends or going out to play, when all the child wants to do is sit in front of the idiot box, its time for parents to take action.

Children get a lot of exercise in their younger years, and this exercise leads to untold benefits that last for years after. If a child does not go out and play and get exercise, he can get obese. Studies also indicate that such children develop poor reading habits, struggle with their studies, and are often more aggressive than their peers.

Children cannot regulate their own time and it is up to us parents to guide them and set limits. Although you don't need to completely prevent your child from watching the television, since the tube does provide information and knowledge, and can educate a child if used well, you do need to limit the amount of time he spends on that couch.

Change yourself

Why does your child watch so much telelvision? Perhaps its because he sees you doing the same. Before checking him, take a look at your own habits. Do you pick up the remote as soon as you reach home? Do you have your dinner in front of the television set? Are your saas-bahu soaps more important than discussing your child's day at school? If so, you need to rework your priorities. Curtail your television time and lead by example.

Find something better to do

Don't just switch off the television and send your child to his room. Instead of using force, try and substitute that cartoon programme with something else. Bring out a board game of chess, and play with your child. Let the television be on at first. Pretty soon, it will recede into the background as your child gets engrossed in the game.

Avoid cozy corners

Is your television set in the most comfortable corner of the house? Make TV viewing less cozy, and your child will automatically tire of it. One good idea would be to keep the television facing a window, and place sheer curtains on that window. The glare will make TV viewing less of a joy during the day.

Reward reading

Take your child with you to bookstores and the library, and let your child select books for him to read. A voracious reader rarely watches too much television.

Make them score

Set up a system where children can score points if they help with household chores. For example, for cleaning their room you can allot 4 points. A collection of 20 points could earn them an activity of their choice at the weekend, like a visit to the zoo.