Is your child addicted to T.V. and smartphones?




Way back in 80s there were hardly few houses in our village who had TV. On the weekend there used to be movie in the evening telecasted by Doordarshan. I remember our hall used to be packed with neighbours acquaintances who came to watch the film. But now with advancing technology each member of the family owns gadgets like tablets, smart phones, i pads, computers, laptops with easily accessible videos and games. And of course TV glueing kids in front of it. Parents who felt proud to hand over i-pads to their toddlers only to show case their status (or for various reasons) are now realizing the effects and are complaing about their kid's screen time.
Here are a few tips that can help you

Encourage him to play outdoor games:
Children like colours, movement, thrill and a feeling of accomplishment. What if you provide this in real and not through virtual games in tabs?
  • Spend few bucks on outdoor sports items like football, rackets, frisbees.
  • Teach them the games you played in your childhood which dont need any sports items. Ligori, hopscotch, kho-kho, viti dandu(gilli danda).
  • Buy bicycle, tricycles, scooter your kid's age appropriate ones.
  • Encourage them to make wheeled trams, trucks, carts from cardboard boxes.
Develop his interest in gardening.: 

  • Teach him to grow his own food. 
  • Allot a small patch of garden if not a small corner in the balcony to grow what he wants.
Spend time in nature:















  • Go out with your child for a stroll in evening.
  • Go to the park and let him play to his heart's content.
  • If there is any spot in your city where doves or pigeons are found, do visit such place. Your kids will love feeding grains and watching them.
  • Go out to collect folliage which they can use in art books or simply decorate.


Be the aid to his thirst of knowledge:
Why is it that your kids like Chota Bheem , Doraemon and such cartoon serials?
They want to know more, they are curious.
  • Bring story books with colourful pictures. Let the new story book lie on the centre table. Your kid will get tempted to pick it and turn the pages.
  • Sit together to read a story. Narrate bedtime stories from diverse fields.
  • Buy magazines. He may come with many questions related to the pictures in the magazine. Answer him. He is learning new things.
Show your interest in him:
  • Spare time to sit with him and chat. Listen to what he wants to tell. 
  • Pick any topic and tell your views and ask him his views.
  • Play with him once in a while if he insists.
Work and play collectively:
  • Include him  in your house chores like washing clothes, decluttering, serving.
  • Watch TV together in the living room. 
  • Go for a regular outing, it can be market, book stores, museums, zoos.
Enroll him in atleast one extra activity:
  • It can be any kind of art, craft, sports.
  • Fix time for exercise or send him to some fitness class.
  • Send him to outdoor camps once in a while or during vacation.
Teach him how to manage time:
  • Sit with him and decide together about how much time would he like to spend on watching TV, videos, etc.
  • Ask him to divide the total screen time allowed  for TV, videos, watsapp, games etc.
Make him aware of the consequences of excessive screen time.

 If he has to be fit, alert, at this age he should be playing outdoors, make friends. Kids of this age do understand if explained the importance or outdoor games. playing outdoors is going make him strong and improve many skills. Growing up he wouldn't be shy communicating with people. His dependency on family members would be less and can be more confident.

 Now that you know the tricks it shouldn't be much difficult to reduce screen time



More To Read

                                                          Does Your Kid Hate To Write?
                                                             Correct Your Child's Posture.
                                                               Making Your Toddler Learn
                                                             Teach Kids Life Skills : Cooking
                                                Tongue Twisters: Importance in speech development
                                                       Help Kids Overcome Stage Fear.
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