Raising Screen Time Kids – By Josh Weidmann
Have you ever handed your child a screen so you could get through a conversation with an adult? Do you send your kids to play games on a device when you need to snatch a few minutes of peace for yourself? If so, does that make you a bad parent? How much screen time is too much for your child?
As parents in the twenty-first century, we are facing a challenge none of the generations that came before us had: we are being forced to navigate through a world full of phones, tablets, computers, TVs, and gaming devices. Screens can be great—but they can also be bad, and sometimes they are downright dangerous for our kids (and ourselves!). Today’s parents are full of questions, but we must find the answers to this challenge on our own.
Find out more: https://raisingscreentimekids.com
Four Tips for Healthy Screen Time for Kids:
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- SET IT: Set an “allowance” for screen time that is age-appropriate for your child. Make this a weekly allowance, not just a daily limit.
- CLARIFY IT: Explain to your child why you have boundaries and ensure they know what you expect them in advance.
- TRACK IT: Use coupons, poker chips, marbles, or other small items to track how much screen time they have been given; have them “cash it in” when they want screen time. Or use the phone settings or other apps to limit a child’s time on a device.
- STICK TO IT: consistency is key! Develop healthy screen-time behaviors by staying consistent with the amounts and guidelines put in place until the next developmental milestone in your kid’s life.
