I am a big proponent of reducing screen time to Make Room For Play. I “get” that my kids need computer time to do homework. I “get” that it’s fun to play video games. I “get” that favourite TV shows can be down time. You can’t eliminate screens in this modern age…but you can reduce them…and make room for active play part of your family routine.
Make Room For Play
ParticipACTION’s Make Room for Play campaign offers a great opportunity to help parents get their children more active. The campaign, which launched January 12, includes a series of four 30-second videos for parents and caregivers.
I admit…I have used the TV as an electronic babysitter from time to time to squeeze in one more hour of work (proving this isn’t a preachy post but a we’re-in-this-together deal). It happens.
Be consistent. In my house, on weekdays, the TV doesn’t get turned on until homework is done. On weekends, the TV can be turned on in the late afternoon. The kids know these consistent rules are simply what we do (and who we are). No cartoons in the morning means we get up – get ready – and get out of the house. We make the greater part of the day “active time” (school and work on weekdays and karate class and family walks on weekends).
No screens in kids’ rooms. Also helpful in keeping your kids cyber safe, no computers, laptops, tablets or phones in the kids’ rooms means they are online in general areas of the house where you can keep an eye on web usage. I’ve found my kids do their homework way faster because they want that after-homework-screen-time so they focus and get straight to work.
Eliminate background TV. My pet peeve. If you are watching TV – watch TV. No homework in front of the TV. No instagram in front of the TV. No texting on your phone in front of the TV. A screen should not be in front of a screen.
Screens have a time and place. And then you make room for play. Whether you are inspired by my 20+ Winter Activities To Keep Kids Busy or you are browsing my 50 Activities To Keep Kids Busy Indoors – there are lots of things you and your kids can do together (or that they can play independently) which do not involve screens.
In today’s culture of ‘getting things done’ the screen may seem like an easy solution. A recent survey commissioned by ParticipACTION found 74 per cent of parents with children 12 and under have used a screen to occupy their children when they are busy, trying to get things done or want some quiet time. But, it’s important to remember moderating kids’ screen time is essential for healthy development. ParticipACTION’s new campaign, Make Room for Play, calls on Canadian families to put down their screens to encourage more active play.
Visit www.makeroomforplay.com for additional tips on how to get moving and reduce screen time.
I think 26 percent of parents are lying lol.
I try to keep my kids off their gadgets as much as possible, but the truth is, they are on there more than I would like,
These are such great ideas. I’m guilty of having the tv on way too much.
Our tv isn’t the problem. It’s the phones and tablets that we need to work on. Though we do exercise at our community center often, so there is a little balance there.
When my son was little he was allowed an hour of game time after his homework was done. We also let him play his Gameboy in the car. Now that he is 18 he is always playing some kind of video game. He does workout for an hour every day.
These are really great tips. It’s all too easy to fall into a routine of being couch potatoes with all of our gadgets!
Really really awesome tips. I am making a conscious effort to turn off the tv more!
I’m so glad my kids grew up before the age of the smart phone. I can imagine it’s difficult to pull your kids away from their devices.
Screen time taking away from outdoor play can be such a problem. It’s so important to set a schedule and stick to it.
These are all great tips. Kids need to spend less time in front of screens and more time getting some activity in. The obesity rate in kids these days is embarrassing. Gadgets aren’t meant to be baby sitters. Kiddo is almost 10 and she has yet to be forced into using a computer for homework.
I limit screen time a lot! We love play, and crafts and using our imaginations. That’s a big plus to 6 kids they can all play and have each other always!
My oldest watches a lot of TV, however, if I ask him if he wants to go for a walk, go to the park or go to the beach he ALWAYS says yes! He would take doing any of those things over TV any day and that makes me happy!
Those are great reminders. I know I’m guilty of violating some of those rules from time to time, but I do try to make sure my kids get the appropriate amount of physical activity.
These are great tips for limiting the amount of tv in your life. I am terrible for having the tv on in the background.
I am so guilty of giving my kid a tv in his room. He has a sleep disorder. I it weren’t for the TV when he’s up at 2am every morning I’d have to be up at 2 am every morning too and I have a baby on the way and a hubby to take care of too. While I do play with my kiddo, I am also a firm believer that it is not my job to be my kid’s playmate. I’m his parent not his friend.
My kids have no TV’s in their rooms. My younger one goes to bed at 9:00. We try to make time for other play time
Although I’m not a parent, I tend to be on my electronics while I’m doing other things. I’m trying to put down the phone too. It’s hard, I admit.
I think these are great. We spend to much time not being together as a family.
I love the no screens rule. It’s too late for us, my teen daughter has a tv in her room. To her credit, she doesn’t use it much.
It’s always fun to have family time together doing a jigsaw puzzle or going for a walk. Getting physical activity in the wintertime requires motivation to get outside, but it’s worth it because walking and breathing fresh air is healthy!
We don’t allow the kids to watch TV during the week – we want them to play. also if the TV is on, they can’t be on their handheld game systems or tablets. No convergence in our living room!
I like the idea of no screens in the kids room, especially for older kids.
I let the kids be on way too much during the day. If they must be on I’d rather it be educational.
you have great ideas for limits. We’ll have to see how to implement some of these
These are some excellent tips. I think I might need to try some of these with my husband actually. 😉
Excellent tips – my children are grown but I am getting a puppy. I will definitely be reducing my computer time with a new puppy!
All great tips! I think we ALL need to limit our screen time these days, it is slowly taking over our lives and we need to make an effort to stop that.
It scares me for our children and grandchildren how little kids play. I cringe when I here Mom’s of new babies putting them in front of a screen at infancy.
I am so with you and thank you for publishing this article. I really feel strongly that most kids are not given enough time for free play, let alone any kind of non-electronic activities. I understand the fear and paranoia parents feel about the safety and security of their children, but it has been proven over and over and OVER again that kids need to interact with each other and alone in play without adult interference so that they can learn problem solving skills, sharing, imaginative play, physical activity etc. Thank you.