![]() ![]() As your child learns more about technology and screens, they will make mistakes. Look for ways to engage screens as a family through games, videos or apps. Let's just say "Mario Kart" tournaments get intense! It's also common in our house to have family video game nights. We've learned a lot as a family through their videos. My son loves to watch a former NASA engineer, and my daughter enjoys cooking videos. My wife and I watch with them so we can understand what they are watching, but also to learn with them. ![]() Both of my kids enjoy watching YouTube creators. Watch videos with your kids, and learn to play their games. When she gets a little older, she can learn how to create these and make them shareable. We don't share these, but she is learning how to vlog. She wants to show others the places she visits and tell them about her experiences. My daughter loves to make videos when we travel. If your child loves watching videos or playing video games, encourage them to create their own. You can create a system where a task earns X amount of screen time. Another is to allow them to earn screen time by completing chores. Then they can have a set amount of screen time depending on how long it is until bedtime. One option is that homework and chores come first. There are different ways parents can put this into practice. It's OK to make your kids complete homework and specific tasks or chores before you allow them to have screen time. Even if you can't be active with them, you can encourage and support them in their activities. Offer other indoor activities, like board games or crafts. They can take walks, ride bikes or scooters or play outside. Give your kids other options to keep them active instead of screen time. And when kids are tired, it's harder for them to learn. Studies show that using screens before bedtime makes it harder for kids to fall asleep. Charging devices (even your own) overnight in a common area can be helpful. Screen-free bedrooms are a little more challenging with phones and tablets. It also helps you know what they are using screens for and how much time they spend on them. This keeps kids from disappearing with a screen for hours. Keep TVs, video games and computers in common areas. Make sure they are spending time being active, whether structured or unstructured. Kids need physical activity and creativity. The most essential aspect of screen time is balance. You know your family and should do what's best for your household. For others, screen usage may be significantly reduced during school nights. For some families, school days may mean no screens. If you want your child to learn responsible technology use, model it for them.Äifferent days may call for different screen limits. If you always have the TV on or scroll through your phone whenever you have free time, they will probably do the same. They will establish their relationship with technology based on your relationship with technology. The hardest part of managing your child's screen time may be managing your own. Establish consequences if they break the rules you set for them. ![]() They do recommend that parents set consistent limits to ensure that screens don't replace sleep and physical activity.Ä®xplain to your kids that too much time sitting watching screens is not healthy. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not have a set recommendation for kids 6 and older. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, too much screen time can have side effects, including sleeping problems, poor self-image, less time spent outdoors, lower grades and attention disorders. Managing screen time for our kids is essential for their development. Since we all spend a lot of time with technology, it's up to us to help our children have a healthy relationship with their screens. And with school back in session, kids use screens more frequently during the day. We live in a digital world, so screens are a huge part of our everyday lives.
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