5 WAYS TO HELP YOUR KIDS UNPLUG
How can we help our children unplug and support their developing brains? I’ve got tips, but you might not like them… here they are.
1. Reduce your own screen time
The first thing to notice is what we’re modeling for our kids. If we spend all day connected to screens, we can hardly expect them to act differently. Their survival depends on following our lead and learning skills from us that they will need to thrive. So if we want our children to limit their screen time, guess what? We have to show them how. Turn off, unplug, and put away your screens. You can start with meal times, or a couple of hours in the evening. You can even go camping or schedule a vacation somewhere without TV/internet access.
2. Offer alternative activities that are more fun
Child who would actually rather watch a screen than get out into nature. Taking a walk, hike or bike ride is good for our health, reduces our blood pressure, and helps us relax. Going to a park, beach or studying wildlife can also be a great alternative.
Sometimes spending time in nature can be a spiritually moving and life altering experience. So don’t think you have to have a plan for the whole day; just pack a bag with water and snacks, get outside and see what happens!
3. Books
Sure we can get lots of information online, but there’s nothing quite like the feeling of holding a good book in your hands. Making interesting fiction and non-fiction books available for children to explore is a great way to entice them away from a screen.
We recently checked out a book on science experiments for kids and my daughter is very excited about the experiments we’ve begun. In one simple experiment, we had three bowls of water: one warm, one cold and one at room temperature. The experiment was to put one hand in the warm water and one hand in the cold water for 30 seconds. Afterward, she was instructed to put both hands in the room temperature water and notice how each hand felt. She was amazed at the results. The room temperature water felt cold to her warm hand and warm to her cold hand, even though the water was the same temperature!
Engaging in scientific exploration is a great way to develop critical thinking skills and advance the love of learning.
4. Creative endeavours
Painting, singing, playing music, sculpture, dancing and theatre are all incredibly good for our brains and our bodies. Engaging in creativity uses parts of our brains that go unused when we’re passively watching a screen. And these creative pursuits can be incredibly rewarding too.
Engaging in your own creative interests is the best way to encourage your child to develop hers. And even if you don’t consider yourself artistically inclined, it’s good for you and for your child to explore new activities and interests. Maybe there’s something you’ve always wanted to try, or an extension of something you’ve already mastered. Allow your children to witness your own process of creative discovery and support them in theirs.
5. Food preparation
Including children in food preparation is a wonderful way to introduce them to crucial skills like cutting safely with a sharp knife or using a hot stove. Since you’re there to supervise, you can make sure all the dangers are apparent and you can model safe kitchen practices. Who knows, you may even discover that your child has a hidden talent for cooking or baking!
It’s up to us to determine the culture of our own homes and families and if we choose less screen time and more time cooking together, I think we’ll be well on our way to the thoughtful, engaged citizens we dearly hope our children will become.