“Today’s kids spend lots of time staring at screens: more than 7.5 hours a day, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. That adds up to 114 days a year that could be spent playing, reading, even just daydreaming.”
Along with this quote and the title: The Power of Powering Down, I knew that as a mom, I (Litsa) needed to dwell among the suggestions that were featured in the Publix FamilyStyle (December/January issue).
These Powering Down Tidbits might also help you and your family:
- Set limits around time and place. Do you keep devices out of the bedroom? Are devices laid down and ignored during dinnertime? Are all devices off 30 minutes before bedtime? Establishing limits and defining each will help everyone power down and focus on the task at hand and/or allow for freedom to relax.
- Kick ’em out the door. No matter where we go, there are screens everywhere. IF you can, keep them indoors only. When children are outdoors, let them use their imaginations—their large muscles to move and their little muscles to investigate. If you’re traveling from the house to the store, leave them behind and allow your child to see the world around him/her through the window….to sing a song out loud…to play a traditional game of, “I spy!”
- Let the electronics do the dirty work. There are APPS to do your job. Allow them to monitor and shut down the computer remotely. Set the limits around child(ren)’s chores and homework/reading time at home.
- Offer fun substitutes. When you are asking children to turn off their screens, offer something else that might be more enticing—-a playdate, time in the kitchen with mom, a painting or art media/science experimentation, etc.
- Model the behavior you want to see. Our children learn from us. Are we attached to our phones and laptops? The Kindle or tablet? Set limits for ALL means everyone!?!
Powering down isn’t easy in today’s society but if we stop scrolling and look up. If we push the off button often enough in our day, week, month….what will we discover? What will we see? Will you gain back lost time and/or feelings of being overwhelmed? Making healthy changes for your family is perfect for the month of January. Don’t forget that setting limits to power down might encompass one more electronic—and one more individual, you. Think through how your family can have more fun together as you power down this year!
The Challenge: Discuss the limits alongside each electronic with your family around the dinner table this week!
Credit to Tips: Publix FamilyStyle (Dr. Walsh)
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