Television addiction is seen in most children these days. It is also seen among the people who have more leisure time. Read on to learn how you can help your child break the habit of TV watching.TV has a powerful hold not only on kids, but also adults and seniors. It is very easy for a child to get trapped into the habit of watching TV more than required. Most often it starts by allowing any interesting cartoon show and then you might allow your child to watch TV when you are cooking or when you are talking to someone.
Most parents do not know what the right amount of time that a child can spend in front of the tube is, while some find it an easy way to make their kids get entertained. Some parents are aware of the disadvantages of watching too much of television, but they find themselves helpless and unable to navigate their children. Here are 10 ways to help limit your child’s screen time.
Ways to Help Limit Screen Time of Your Child
Here are 10 ways to help your child break the
TV watching habit.
1. Set an Example
It is for sure that children do majority of things by watching their parents and other members of the family. It might sound the toughest part, but if you want your child to limit the screen time, you will have to limit yours first.
2. Remember, You are A Parent
Sometimes parents have to take tough decisions for the betterment and wellbeing of their children. Make the decision, but always explain them why you have taken such decision so that they are not left out confused.
3. Play With your Kids
Kids need to be entertained. If you limit your child’s screen time, you need to play with him. So, get down on the floor with your kids and pay with doll, truck or ball. Play educational games with your kids so that you can make sure that the time is not wasted.
4. Encourage Other Activities
Provide necessary resources like drawing book and colour pencils for drawing and painting, books to read,
board games and so on.
5. Set limited TV Viewing Time
If you do not want to remove the television completely from your home, set a specific time aside to allow your child view his favourite television program.
6. Be Involved in Your Child’s Life
It is very easy to turn on the television and let your child not disturb you. On the other hand you will need to spend some time and give in some effort to
get involved in everything your child does. So, observe, listen and ask your children often.
7. Value Family Time
The best way to do this is to make it a habit that there should be at least one meal that every member of the
family will have together. History has lots of evidences that says that richest of conversations have taken place during family dinners.
8. Remove Television Sets From Bedrooms
Make sure this should not be done only for
kid’s bedroom, but also yours.
9. Talk to Your Kids
Let your kids know there are so many things to do in life and they should not waste their time viewing television.
10. Find the Interest of Your Child
Every child has a specific field of interest. Support your child by all means and encourage him to fulfil his dreams.
If you are able to implement just a few steps from the above mentioned ones, they will help you implement others. Just keep in mind that television viewing is a momentum gathering habit. The more your kids will do it, the more compelled they will be to continue. If you turn it off, it becomes easier to keep them off.
How can watching TV for long hours affect children? How to break TV watching habit of children? What should be the time limit for children to watch TV? Discuss here.