Start the New Year right! If you’ve been looking for ways to encourage healthy habits for your child, the answer is in your hand… literally! While tech may help us in our daily lives, too much screen time—especially for the little ones—can negatively impact your child’s development.
How Much Screen Time is Too Much?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children 2-5 years old have no more than 1 hour of screen time. They should also be engaging with media that is interactive, non-violent, educational, and pro-social.
Media use should be very limited for children under 2 years old and only when a parent is viewing with them. It is most recommended that it be used for Facetime or video chatting with friends and family.
Screen Free Alternatives
Being prepared is half the battle! Having tech-free alternatives ready to go will help you keep your child occupied and learning while you’re either exploring with them or just monitoring their safety.
- Sensory Bins: Sensory play builds your child’s fine motor skills and stimulates their creativity! Set up a plastic bin with a base material, such as dry pasta, rice or kinetic sand. Then add in small toys, scoops and cups, and encourage your child to dig and explore! If you use a bin with a lid, this is an easy-to-grab activity you can come back to time and again.
- Indoor Movement: Get your baby’s body moving! Create a mini-obstacle course with pillows and blankets, play music for a dance party or play a game of “Simon Says!”
- Storytime Corner: Set up a corner for reading! Fill up a corner with age-appropriate books, stuffed animals and other cozy accessories. Then, encourage your child to read by themself or with you!
- Have a Busy Box Prepped! Sometimes, you just need something to hold your child’s attention in the moment. Time to bust out the busy box! Fill this up with age-appropriate small toys, puzzles, coloring books + art and easy crafts. Make sure you are still keeping an eye on your child for their safety!
- Go Outside: Nothing beats the great outdoors! Somehow, doing all the normal things outside makes it feel like an adventure. Take your activities onto a porch or in the backyard.
- Nature Exploration: Set up a backyard scavenger hunt! Not only can your child have fun collecting rocks, flowers and leaves, but they can also use them in crafts later!
- Weekly Focus Skills: Reinforce what your child is learning in school by trying out the activities in your Focus Skills Book!
Modeling Healthy Habits
Part of your child’s learning is imitating you! So make sure you’re modeling the behaviors you want them to follow. Take a tech-free challenge together with these tips:
- Have Tech-Free Zones: Make certain areas of your home off-limits for screens! Your dining room table, for example, might be a space you have set aside only for eating and other family activities.
- Set a Family Schedule: Set certain times aside for when your child is allowed to use a screen, such as watching an educational program and playing an interactive educational game. You can also set your own screen-free time, such as no phone time an hour before bed.
- Be Present! When you’re engaging with PLAY with your child, it’s time to set the devices aside and give them your full attention for FUN!
With a few easy tips and tricks, you can decrease your child’s screen time and increase the fun! Share your family’s favorite moments and tag us on Facebook and Instagram @O2BKids!