Creating memories and building connections over the Christmas holidays may mean putting down the devices of your kids and teens.
Too much screen time can be detrimental to kids, negatively affecting their vision, physical health, and mental well-being. Studies have been stating this fact over and over again.
Health Matters stated that excessive screen time inhibits a kid's ability to observe and experience typical everyday activities that are crucial for them to engage with so that they can learn about the world and interact with others.
Thus, it can be perilous because too much time in front of the screen means turning one's back on the people around you, lessening communication and connection, and even hurting relationships.
This holiday season, and as the kids are looking forward to the holiday break, parents are encouraged to make sure that they are spending time celebrating with family and friends and not with their electronic devices.
Let the holidays be about time with family
"The holidays can be a period of increased screen time for kids, whether it's more time playing video games, scrolling through Instagram, or binging the latest series. But it can also be a great opportunity to establish new habits, spend more quality time with family, and set intentions for the new year," Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development offered.
This non-profit organization, which aims to understand the impact of media on children's development, gathered tips on how parents can encourage their children to ditch the screens and devices and create more personal connections with them, especially this holiday season.
Their goal is to help families and parents spend more time together this Christmas and allow the kids and their brains to have a break from their electronic devices and the internet world and instead be in the present and focus on family celebrations and merriments.
How to make the kids ditch the screens
Here are 13 tips the organization has created, as reported by Consumer Affairs:
1. Set goals.
A holiday break can mean more time for kids to spend on the screen. Thus, before they do that, plan activities for the entire family that does not involve devices and present them to the kids ahead of time so expectations can be set.
2. Go screen-free.
Schedule designated times when all devices are put away, and ensure that no one in the family is exempted from the rule. With everyone not facing the screen, grab the opportunity to connect and make memories.
3. Have fun with dinner-time conversations.
Dinner time can be fun and exciting for families, especially when the devices are away. As per Children and Screens experts, parents should be motivated to play games at the dinner table, ask each other interesting questions, or learn more about each other.
4. Embrace boredom.
While this may be a struggle for kids, as well as parents, know that being bored is okay. Boredom without phones and gadgets allows kids to tap into their imaginations and creativity.
5. Create and explore together.
The holiday break is a great time to do simple activities together as a family.
6. Find balance.
Instead of just allowing the kids to spend their entire holiday break in front of the screens, parents can grab the opportunity to have kids try different things. Balance their schedule with family visits, gift shopping, reading Christmas stories, or participating in holiday traditions.
7. Get engaged.
Parents must be screen-free and use the time to engage and connect with their children. All these tips will not work if children are the only ones ditching their devices and parents continue to spend time with theirs.
8. Take screen time breaks.
Take experts' recommendations of a 10- to 15 minutes break every hour the kids use their devices.
9. Take time for others.
Make children's holiday break meaningful by letting them learn about generosity and charity. Leave the devices at home and go out as a family to give back by helping others in need.
10. Share the love.
Use the holiday break to encourage kids to share their love with the people around them. Children and Screens suggested that parents pick a new family member or friend each day of the holiday season to shower with love, surprises, and kindness
11. Stick to a routine.
Though there will be a lot of activities, sticking to a routine is still best for the kids. Any rules regarding screen time should still be in effect despite the school break.
12. Stay connected.
Let the kids be connected with their friends and cousins and help them build relationships and memories over the holiday. Let these memories not involve any devices. Let them play with actual toys or do screen-free activities.
13. Motivational interview activity.
Have conversations with the kids about their thoughts on using their devices and being in front of the screen so that, as parents, they can better understand their screen time habits.
Related Article: Experts Recommend New Rules for Children's Screen Time
