Recently our friends with families attended a function. I saw kids
between 1-5 years kids are with either cell phone/tablet. No one was paying
attention to the outside world. In the lunchtime, it is even worse. Kids
watching their phone, moms/dads were feeding them. God knows what they ate!
Even I came from that situation. Here are some tips to divert your kids'
attention from digital devices
1. First mothers: Mothers will be highly influential on their kids. So be a role model
to your kid. You stop using the mobile phone in front of them. It sounds a bit
harsh, but if you want to digitally detoxify your kid, you need to sacrifice
your phone time.
2. Both the parents and people within the house: Even if your partner or other family
members residing in your house, learn to hide phones or stop using phones if
the kids are around. Spend time with them. Talk to them. They can say things
that are more enjoyable than in your gadgets.
3. Know their peak time: Most of the time kids use gadgets during their mealtime, or in the
evening time or when they get bored. Know their peak time first. Prepare what
to do at that time.
4. Know their interests beyond cell phone: My daughter was very fond of
colours during her 2nd year. So I got whatever I can. Crayons,
watercolours, colour pencils, sketch pens. It became a little messy, but it
worked. She started colouring books, faces in newspapers and I gave strict
instructions that her drawings should be only on paper. Likewise, know your
kids' interest, it can be painting, counting, any stories (This also worked for
me). I made her sit in the balcony and we started staring at the people who
were passing by, we saw all the crows, squirrels, pigeons, even ants, flies,
but it worked.
5. Get creative: Create any play or create a toy using cardboards, bottles, or
anything you see. Give those plastic water bottles and some grains and ask them
to play. It can gain you some time.
6. Don’t expect overnight results: Gradually reduce the time with gadgets, not all at a time. You
cannot get overnight results.
7. Gradually reduce the screen time: Check the usage time. Gradually lessen 10
minutes a day. When you start reducing screen time from day 1, you only get
tantrums. Kids cannot accommodate the new change; it may lead to permanent
hatred towards physical activity.
8. Use parental control: Use parental control for your mobile phone. There are many apps
which lock by themselves for a specific time period.
9. Practice secret screen time: Parents, if you can’t control your screen time, practice secret
screen time. During their nap time or in the restroom, you should not be
visible to kids with the phone.
10. Make days count: Make every day a special day for kids like gardening day, cleaning
day, washing day, game day, painting day, crafting day, nature day, letter day,
puzzle day. Not only these you can create many more chores with kids.
The important tip to reduce the screen
time is to lessen mom’s screen time and patience. You all know the side effects
of giving cell phones to children. So try to reduce that and enjoy with your
kid.
Happy Motherhood!!!
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