Is your child always on the iPad? Do you mostly notice their eyes glued to the screen?
You may tell them: NOOO!!! Put the iPad or phone down.
But it doesn’t seem to work, right? They may cry whenever you try to push them away from gadgets. You may hand over the gadget to them once again to stop them from shedding tears.
We understand your struggle, as we’ve walked a mile in your shoes. Know that you’re not alone and we’re here to help you. Our shared six screen-free ways to entertain kids will keep your little ones amused and prevent their obsession with gadgets.
Treat Digital Addiction: 6 Effective Screen-free Ways to Entertain Kids
- Playful with Toys
Whenever they’re about to hit the bed, create an attractive with your child’s toys. Let them snuggle with them while they doze off. These days, kids hardly play with playthings. Screens have swapped the traditional trend of having fun with dolls and miniature items. You should take a step to revive that trend. Encourage them to play with toys. Ask them to be creative with Lego and create various things, such as buildings, cars, and furniture.
- A Gadget for a Playbag
You may have to take your toddler out of your home at times. They may annoy you in those times. And what do you do to counter it? You hand over your phone or let them carry their iPad, right? But as you have decided to encourage them to entertain themselves without screens, get them a play bag.
Children can create one themselves by putting a bunch of things that amuse them, such as a coloring book, crayons, and colored pencils. Or, you can get them one from an online or offline store. This activity will keep them busy with something productive while you conduct a meeting with book publishers in UAE or do something.
- Tick Off the Checklist
Another screen swap activity is to ask your child to create a to-do list before going to sleep for the next day. Let them list down all the tasks they have to do tomorrow, such as cleaning themselves, completing the homework, and reading.
Once the new day begins, make sure they tick off the list as they execute bit by bit. This tip will not only keep them away from digital gadgets for a while but also foster self-restraint within them. As a result, they will grow up becoming more disciplined, an important soft skill to succeed in life in every aspect.
- The Counting Technique
The counting technique works every time and we mean it. You can use this tactic in different situations. For instance, if you’re traveling with your little one via public or private vehicle, help them identify a certain car.
Ask them to count how many motorcars of the same brand, model, and color they see on the road till they reach the destination. It will hook their attention throughout the travel and keep them off the screens. This activity will also boost their attention span and concentration level. These transferable skills are highly valuable in the professional landscape.
- A Personal Shopping Assistant
Many parents avoid taking their kids for the shopping. They fear that the little ones would continuously be distracted and not let them shop. If you have this mindset all along, it is time to let go of it. Shift your perspective and take them with you as your personal shopping assistant.
Create a list of things or groceries you need to shop with them. Ask them to find items as you’re wandering in the aisle. They will feel happy and proud by helping you out. It will develop a sense of accomplishment within them, building their confidence.
- A Cozy Space
Allow your child to create a cozy space in the home or their room (if they have one). Let their creativity go wild to make a particular area of their own. Give them the freedom to decorate it according to their wish. They can use blankets, cushions, soft toys, paintings, and drawings to make the space one-of-a-kind.
Kids can play with their toys or practice their storytelling through the power of imagination. Trust us, children are masters at it. You can also join them once you’re free from your book printing in Dubai, cooking, or some other work.
An Extra Screen-Free Way for Child’s Amusement:
- Family’s Conversation Session
Let all the family members sit together in the evening or night. Ask questions to each other to make a wholesome conversation. The theme can be anything, whether creative, mystery, horror, personal, or deep. Make sure the queries you probe during the session are age-appropriate for your kids. Applying this tip will not only entertain them but enhance their communication skills. Their knowledge will also increase over time. Plus, the bonding between you all will also deepen, thus advantageous in every way.
Is screen time harmful to my child?
Absolutely! More screen time will cause higher anxiety, depression, self-doubts, or other mental disorders within your child. It will lower their quality of life, academic performance, and language achievement.
How many hours of screen time is okay for kids?
The screen time should be limited to only watching with a caregiver or parent for infants (18 to 24 months old). The content should be solely educational. The appropriate limitation for toddlers (2 to 5 years) is around 1 hour per weekday and 3 hours on the weekends. Moreover, cultivate healthy screen habits and limit activities for kids, aged about 6 years and beyond.
How to keep my child busy without screens?
Here are some ideas:
Ø Offer creative toys, such as Legos, puzzles, Play Dough, and Kinetic Sand
Ø Play board or outdoor games
Ø Perform age-friendly exercises
Ø Take them for a walk
Ø Build a creative fort using chairs, blankets, pillows, etc
Ø Encourage them to learn a new skill
Ø Let them draw, sketch, color, or pain
Final Verdict
Children’s eyes, minds, and the overall body are comparatively more sensitive to screens than adults. Excessive usage of iPads, TVs, or smartphones can cause various physical and mental health issues within them. Therefore, parents and caregivers have to break children’s unhealthy screen habits. The above seven screen-free ways will entertain them and decrease reliance on gadgets.
