Come summertime it seems that when kids come home from school for summer
vacation they are glued to the TV before their back packs even hit the
floor. Kids have now become so dependent on technology for entertainment
I worry that kids don't even know what the outdoors are anymore or what
it's like to have more activity than lifting a TV remote or typing on a
keyboard.
According to Parentstv.org the average American child
spends almost 30 hours a week watching TV and over 54% of children have
their own television in their room. Another study by the National Youth
Prevention Resource Center said that over 74% of kids and teens spend at
least one hour a day on video games and 3 hours a day on the
computer/online. These statistics are staggering when you actually think
about them for a moment. The majority of a child's day is spent in
front of a screen and even more so during the summertime when kids are
free for three whole months.
Now there is nothing wrong with
television, computer or video games as long as they are done in
moderation. So how does a parent get their child off the couch and
getting some physical activity? Here are a few helpful tips to unglue
your child from the screen.
First step is to lay down some ground
rules for television, video games or internet time. Allow only a
certain amount of hours per day for each specific one. Moderate a
child's intake of television, computer and internet as well as what they
are watching and doing. One great way to get your kids to be active is
to plan family outings. You could have an afternoon picnic, a hike, a
bike ride through the park, a trip to a local museum or bonfire at the
beach. The ideas are endless but the key is to get out of the house and
have fun as a family.
One great idea is to have a pool party for
you kids and their friends. This way they can have fun with their
friends without technology. As a parent you should always set an example
for your child. Therefore you have to be as active as you want your
children to be. Even if this means a short walk after dinner together it
could make all the difference. Teaching your child a new hobby is a
great way to get your kids off the couch as well. You can teach them how
to cook their favorite recipe, knit or sow, ride a skate board or
scrapbook your favorite family photos. These ideas can be great to grow
stronger bonds within a family while stimulating a child's mind without
technology.
Another great idea could be instead of buying your
kid another DVD or video game get them something that will help promote
activity. SensoryEdge has some great outdoor toys that keep kids busy and engaged. A couple of examples are the Plasma Car. This unconventional vehicle for kids is unlike anything you've seen
before. The Plasma Car uses the natural forces of inertia, centrifugal
force, gravity, and friction to move. All you do is just rotate the
steering wheel left and right and you gain momentum. It's almost like a
segway for kids.
Hopefully
with these tips can help your child put down the
remote and become more active and have fun doing it.
