Tantrum-free ways to create healthy screen time habits

With some South African schools closed due to Covid-19, parents don’t have many options to entertain busy children. So it’s only natural that you allow them to watch TV or play games more.

With so many warnings about the effects of too much screen time on young minds everywhere, should you resist or give in?

Find the perfect balance

Dr. Iqbal Karbanee, pediatrician and CEO of Paed-IQ Babyline, says the global coronavirus pandemic has placed tremendous pressure on parents and it can be very difficult to strike a balance.

“If you care for your child’s needs in a supportive and loving environment and you do your best, even if that includes screen time, then you and your family are fine,” he says.

Keep your children safe and healthy

Karbanee adds that parents need to remember that while the health and safety of their children is the responsibility of parents, boredom is not. “You don’t have to keep your children entertained all vacation. It’s okay to let kids complain of boredom.

Make a few suggestions, but keep them resourceful. The imagination itself is a source of entertainment with great benefits for children. However, according to Karbanee, there are ways you can provide your child with a better balance in terms of screen time, be it on PlayStation, tablet, phone, TV, or any other device.

How to create healthy screen habits

Below are his top tips for parents looking to create lasting and positive screen habits:

• Do not let children have screen time for at least two hours before going to bed. This is because it disrupts their sleep patterns, which is vital to healthy development. It’s a good idea to stick to a routine as much as possible during your vacation, especially when it comes to getting regular bedtime. Try to consistently enforce bedtime.
• Make sure your child takes regular breaks from the screen, especially if they are constantly being stimulated, be it through PlayStation, HouseParty, Google Hangout, or any other application. A break of 30 to 40 minutes is recommended. Older children and teenagers tend to play online for long periods of time. Arrange for some form of physical activity to interrupt screen time.
• Be careful what your children are consuming. Make sure you have rules about what content they can and can’t watch. There should also be clear consequences for children who do not follow the rules. This is also relevant when children of different ages live in the household; younger children should of course not be exposed to inappropriate content. Parents should familiarize themselves with the parental controls settings on all electronic devices.
• Try to limit the number of devices your child can access at any given time. For example, don’t let them play on a phone or tablet when the TV is on at the same time. Better to turn off the TV while they’re on another device. This will help them focus on one activity rather than being overstimulated from multiple sources.
• Establish clear rules for when screen time is prohibited, for example at family celebrations or at the dining table. Children often do not know they are full when they eat in front of the screen and will keep consuming. By teaching them not to be near a device while eating, you will teach them the value of connection and listen to their bodies.
• Lead by example. If children see parents on the phone all the time, even during family time, they will follow suit. Rules apply to everyone!

source https://dailyhealthynews.ca/tantrum-free-ways-to-create-healthy-screen-time-habits/