Let’s put our heads together and improve your kids’ screen time. Let’s be honest, for the vast majority of us, our kids are going to have some screen time each and every day. As a reward, as a break for mom and dad, or just part of your daily routine. I’m certainly not here to demonize that as long as screen time is part of a balanced lifestyle for these wonderful kids. Lots of time outside, reading together, and art & crafts are key! But there are benefits to screen time as well. It helps calm kids down when they’re feeling anxious, it’s a great reward, and can be educational. So let’s talk about how to improve your kids’ screen time to make it a more positive part of their day.
Prioritize the good stuff!
Not all screen time is created equal. I know your kids love the new Avengers cartoon or the latest Lego Movie, but there is also a tremendous amount of engaging educational content out there. From numeracy apps and interactive ebooks to fun shows about science and the world around us. Many apps are free (Khan Academy Kids, Prodigy) and there is a lot of free educational content on streaming video sites like YouTube Kids, Netflix, Disney+ etc.. Again, aim for balance. They can still have some Avengers…but only after they work on building some positive skills.
Also amazing is Cosmic Kids Yoga. It’s fun, great for their body, and self-regulation. A perfect solution for kids who need to move their body because they’ve been sitting for too long and for kids who need to calm their body and work on self-regulation. Amazing!
Get in there
Screen time for the kiddos often means desperately needed downtime for mom and dad. I know this. I live it. Just sitting there quietly, ignoring all the chores I should be doing, is a true joy. And that’s fine! Sometimes. Research shows that screen time can be highly beneficial to kids if it’s educational and their parents are sitting with them for guidance, emotional support, and collaboration. So, as much as possible, snuggle up next to them and enjoy some downtime together while working on some positive screen time.
Questions to ask your kids
Make sure your kids are involved in creating their own positive screen time experience. It will empower them and make the process of including more positive screen time easier.
-Do your friends have a favorite math/reading game?
-What do you think the #1 educational app for kids is? Let’s investigate together.
-You love animals. Have you seen Planet Earth or Wild Kratts?
-Can you look into this app that helps you create music/art/videos and let me know everything you learned?
Shout Out to Kermode!
The team at Kermode helps you evaluate online sources and develop positive habits in our digital world with their cutting-edge software and guides. Contact the team at info@kermodeeducation.com for more information or a live demo.
