As my Toddler is growing her influence towards watching TV, Mobile Phones, and iPad, etc., is increasing day by day. I have noticed that every 3rd Child has the Vision Problem. Many parents are looking for a solution to break their Kid’s addiction to watching TV. My sister is fighting every day with her 4 years son for watching TV for a longer period and that was from a very close distance.
I still remember that when we used to be kids, we also watch TV and Cartoons but not a whole day. We still have memories of playing outside our houses with friends and games like Hide-and-seek, Pithoo, and Badminton, etc. We actually wait for the electricity cut at night, so that we get some extra time to play Hide & Seek with friends. I know that it is not possible these days, but to keep them healthy and growing at a good pace, we have to get our children’s involvement in physical activities, outdoor games, cycling, etc., to keep them healthy and growing at a good pace.
Growing toddlers need to use their energy somewhere. When they start getting bored in-house, they start looking for other options for entertainment. These days’ parents allow the toddlers & kids to watch TV so that they can get some free time for themselves. Of course, parents also need a break, but we just need to monitor them.
Below are 10 tips on how to keep your Toddler & Kid away from watching TV
(1) Don’t Buy or Use Big Screen TV
TV screens are getting bigger & bigger and so on affecting the vision of kids. General in Indian and some other small countries, Bedrooms are not so big in size due to which the distance between the TV and the bed is less and it’s the main reason that affects the child’s eyesight.
(2) Set the Schedule
Kids who are working parents will always watch TV for long hours as compared to stay at home parents. Therefore, make a strict time schedule for kids, especially in the daytime when you are away from home. Don’t allow them to watch TV for more than 1 hour in one row and keep the TV Remote Control in your hands.
(3) Show them Educational Videos & Rhymes
You cannot keep the kids away from TV always but what best you can do it is to show them educational videos and rhymes instead of letting them watch cartoons. At least they will learn something as compared to watching useless cartoons.
(4) Make them Eat their Lunch & Dinner at Dining Table
Try to make an everyday schedule in the mind of your kid, that after coming from school, he or she has to eat lunch or dinner at night only at Dining Table. May be in starting, your child will refuse, but slowly your child will adapt the schedule. It will be a good idea if the whole family eats at the dining table at least once a day.
(5) Restrict the Timing at Grandparents House
Kids who stay with grandparents or with caretakers they forced them to do things according to their will. Once they get the habit of watching TV freely it will be impossible for you to stop it. Therefore tell your parents or caretaker to restrict their timing and monitor them.
(6) Enroll them in Extra Classes
Involve them in some classes or activities after school like long tennis, dance classes, drawing classes and skating, etc.
(7) Set the Sleeping Time
Make sure that Kids sleep at least for 1 to 2 hours in the daytime. It’s not easy, but you can try.
(8) Take them for Outdoor Games in Evening
If you are staying, at home parents or working parents, don’t forget to take your kid for outdoor games in the evening. Let them make new friends, take them to swing, and try to get them involved with other kids. But at least for a minimum of ONE HOUR, they should play.
(9) Don’t allow them to eat in front of the TV
Kids who eat watching TV are more often about getting hit by Obesity later in their life.
(10) Take them Out on Weekends
Take your kids to picnic spots near your house or play with them outdoors or to friend’s house, etc., mixing with other kids & people will help them to be extrovert, an outgoing, social, and confident person.
