We currently live in a world where technology surrounds us. It is used for work, education and leisure. It has become so common that you will find a piece of it in someone’s home, car and even back pocket! However, with all the benefits and enjoyment that can come with technology, like anything, it has its negatives. Children now have completely let go of the idea of playing outdoors or unstructured play, and instead, rush to their screens for hours on end as soon as they get back from school. Whilst there is nothing wrong with a bit of screen time here and there, a lot of it can lead to negative side effects such as moodiness, poor sleep and a lack of stimulation. If you are on the search for ways to tackle this issue, then look no further. Here are some top tips for managing your child’s screen time and technology, as advised by this private school in Wandsworth.
Set a schedule
There is no point taking screen time away altogether as that will only cause further difficulties. Screen time is only okay for a child if their time is managed wisely. Some parents choose to set specific slots in the day for when their child is allowed to watch something on tv or spend time on their iPad. This is usually quite an easy routine to follow as it means their time on screens is being managed well. However, this system can get slightly trickier as they get older as they will have homework and activities taking up their scheduled time. Try and come to a compromise by saying if they get their homework done in time, they can have some screen time. This is also an easy fix for children who need motivation when it comes to learning.
Select free days
It’s going to be difficult for your child to follow the restricted schedule if they don’t have certain days where they can wind down and spend a little longer watching their favourite tv show. Weekends are a great time as it means that it won’t interfere with their school routine. This shows your child that you respect their desires of watching or playing games, therefore, increasing the chances of them respecting your wishes of keeping away during the weekdays.
This post was featured by Twinkl in their Tech Trends article.