National Screen Free Week begins every year at the end of April. This is a perfect time to talk with the kids about how much screen time they currently see and why it is so important to limit that.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children should spend no more than 1-2 hours a day in front of the screen. But according to many reports and studies, children are far exceeding their screen time quota.
Here are four things parents can do to help kids use their time to play and be more active instead of sit in front of the screen.
1. Help them find activities that they enjoy. Don't focus on exercise, focus on having fun being active.
play in the backyard or at the park
walk the dog
go for a family hike
ride their bicycle
roller skate
dance
2. Limit their screen time to 1-2 hours a day. Here is a nifty printable to help kids/families plan and track their screen time
3. Avoid TV sets in the bedroom. It makes it way to easy to turn it on instead of play other games or activities. It is easier to supervise TV time if they have to watch it in the family room.
4. Make a fun family activity to track your activity and make sure they get 1 hour a day. Here is a fun tracking tool for younger kids. Color in a character for every 15 minutes of active play time or you can use a write in tracking sheet. Both are very kid friendly and perfect for the family bulletin board or the refrigerator.
For more information, visit Nourish Interactive Limiting Screen Time Tips
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