Does this sound familiar?
Your children are often in front of screens and you are wondering how to get them off the screens without screaming. You are asking yourself how much screen time is ok.
The phone or tablet is often your go-to tool to keep your child occupied, but you would like to change this.
Let´s face it, today more than ever, screens are omnipresent. Our phones magically attract our children. The TV keeps them finally quiet for some time so that we can get some stuff done. With online schooling, our children are spending a huge part of their day in front of a screen.
Why do we struggle with screen-time – and How much is ok?
If you are honest with yourself, you probably agree that screens are very convenient to entertain our children without much effort. For us busy parents, putting the children in front of a movie or educational game is a nice way to keep them quiet and calm, while we are quickly preparing dinner or attend an important call.
The backside of this apparent convenience is that screens are addictive. Which means that once exposed to it, children will ask more and more without you even realizing it. It quickly ends up in endless discussions on when to switch off the TV or the iPad that then often lead to tantrums and anger.
So how much is ok for a child?
There is a lot of research that has been published on that question. Health authorities recommend the following:
- NO screen time for children under 2 years old.
- 1 hour maximum of screen time for children between 2 and 5 years old.
- A moderate amount of screen time for children above 5.
Excessive use of screens has shown an impact on child development, in particular behavior issues, a lack of communication skills and delayed language development as well as deficits in gross- and fine-motor skills. (WHO guidelines on screen time)
So, how to reduce screen-time?
Once you realize that your child is exposed to too much screen time, it probably has already become a habit. And we all know how difficult it is to change habits.
Do you struggle with screen-time? Would you like to significantly reduce screen-time , but you are unsure how to get started? You are not alone in it.
Let’ s get on a free Orientation call to see how I can best support you.
Here are a couple of quick-fix strategies on how to reduce screen time while limiting the power struggles and tantrums that might come with it.
TIP 1 > Setting clear times before starting screen time.
Agree with the child what needs to be done before screen time and how long the screen time can last.
TIP 2 > Setting a time and put a reminder for the last 5 min before switching off.
This will help your child to refer to a clear timeframe. Do not switch off the screen without a warning, as this will for sure lead to your child opposing it.
TIP 3 > Have your child repeat the time you agreed upon and the 5 min warning rule
… so that you know your child heard and acknowledges you. If your child wants to start negotiating, calmly but firmly state that the alternative option is Zero minutes of screen time.
TIP 4 > Set a good example yourself.
Children model our behavior and older children will only follow the agreed-upon rules, if they apply to everyone in the family. Watch your own screen time when being with the children.
TIP 5 > Reduce background screens.
When doing other activities, such as playing or chatting, during joint meals and restaurant visits, switch off the TV and put away the phones. This rule should not change no matter where you are. Rules are rules!
TIP 6 > Set joint rules for screen time as a family.
Discuss during a joint meal or a trip with your child about the pros and cons of screens. Especially older children like to be involved and to be given a voice. Collect proposals from everyone on how you want to handle screen time as a family. Offer choices and come up with a joint agreement that you can stick on the fridge. Revisit after a week.
TIP 7 > Loose the remote.
If you feel your child is very much addicted to screens, a last resort is to loose the TV remote or the iPad for a week or longer. For this to work, you need to be very convincing that it really is lost (and that it was not you hiding it 😊). This means that you should also not use the TV or iPad when the kids are not around, as they will quickly figure it out. You will see how quickly your child will find other off-screen activities.
TIP 8 > Be committed to offer alternatives.
All of the above only works if you are ready and committed to engage with your child in alternative activities. Especially in the beginning when reducing screen time, you want to inspire your child with fun alternative screen-free activities.
Ready for a screen-free week-end?
Here are my favorite 10 ideas for a screen-free family week-end!
1. WATERPLAY
Collect a couple of pots, spoons and leaves, flowers or herbs and have your child prepare a soup on your balcony or yard.
#outside
2. FAMILY PICNIC
Prepare a cake or simple meal together. Ask your child to prepare a picnic spot inside or outside of the house to enjoy the meal together.
#outside #rainy day
3. FAMILY DRAWING
Find a sheet of paper (a big sheet of paper is nice, but a smaller one will also do) and crayons. Think about one of your last trips, a family gathering or simply your home, and draw it together with everyone adding some details. Find a spot in your home to display it.
#rainy day #restaurant #creativity
4. HIDE AND SEEK
An everlasting favorite of all kids. Even older children will enjoy it if you join in as a parent.
#outside #rainy day
5. CREATING A BOOKLET
Think about your last holidays or family trip. Stable a couple of papers together and have your children drawing or writing about the different sights or highlights. It is even more fun, if you are doing it together and everyone adds a part of the story.
#rainy day #restaurant #literacy
6. TREASURE HUNT
Hide different objects around the house (or why not numbers 1-10 or the alphabet) . You can also write clues on small papers leading through your home. Hide a small treasure (for example a snack or a book) where the treasure hunt will end. Your child might also enjoy preparing a map of your home for you to find a treasure.
#rainy day #literacy #numeracy
7. BUILDING WITH RECYCLED MATERIALS
Collect boxes, cardboard, juice boxes, etc. and start building something out of it – a car, a fairy castle, a boat, a tower … #rainy day # creativity #fine motor skills
8. CIRCUS SHOW
Ask your children to prepare a circus show; pretend play to buy tickets for the show and enjoy your child’s representation.
#rainy show #pretend play #creativity #gross motor skills
9. BUILDING A HUT
Children love building huts. Provide some blankets and pillows and build a hut together. The easiest way is to build it under a table.
#rainy day #pretend play
10. READING A STORY
All children, even older ones, love listening to stories. Pick your favorite book and read it together. With older children take turns reading. Lots of creative ideas might come up, such as playing the story, drawing it, building it with lego or cardboard, etc.
#rainy day #restaurant #literacy
Looking for more creative ideas? Join our Learning Through Play Community where you will find weekly inspirations for simple and effortless playful learning activities. Find out more here.
If you would like to dive deeper, watch our last Montessori for Parents Conversations on this hot topic.
In the 30 min presentation, you will:
- Be given ways and other entertainment ideas that have personally worked for us to not feel like you have to resort to screens.
- Know the recommended limit of screen time per day.
- Know what you can do to get your children off the screens starting from today.
- Feel more confident and relaxed knowing other ways to keep children busy without the use of screens.
Thank you it was excellent i will use it with my 5 year old son