I admit it. My kids spend too much time in front of a screen. I use screen time as a crutch to get housework done, take a shower and to even to grab a quick afternoon power nap. Other times, I’m just too tired to deal with the whining and arguments so instead of dealing with the issue, I turn on the TV.
I know that too much screen time is not good for my children’s cognitive and social development but yet I continue to allow my children to watch it. So with screen free week starting this week (May 4-10, 2015), I decided that it was time to take an inventory of just how much screen time I allow my children to have. Then based on those results, I plan to reduce the amount of time that my children spend in front of a screen.
I’m not looking at completely eliminating screen time. I do believe that some screen time is ok if it is managed properly. So my first question is, how much screen time is ok? I found the Government of Canada’s Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines that were developed for children aged 0-17. Their recommendations of screen time are:
- Under 2 years: Screen time is not recommended
- Age 2-4: Less than 1 hour per day
- Age 5-17: No more than 2 hours of recreational screen time per day
First, I documented exactly how many hours of screen time that my 2 children, Alex 3 years and Rose 5 years, watched per day. Here are my findings:
Wow! This was shocking! Alex watches more than double the recommended amount of screen time. Ugh…there is some serious work to be done here. But on the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Rose falls under the guidelines. Because of this, I have decided not to worry about reducing her screen time as I’m sure that when I scale back Alex’s screen time, Rose’s will also decrease.
Here’s the major culprits that have increased Alex’s screen time:
- While potty training, I made the mistake of allowing Alex to play iPad. It was a great distraction to keep him on the toilet but I still haven’t weaned him off of it even though he doesn’t need this distraction anymore. I also let him play for way longer than is necessary so I can use those precious minutes to get the kitchen tidied, laundry sorted, floors vacuumed etc.
- When we are in a rush to get out the door, I sometimes plunk the iPad in front at Alex so that he eats his supper quickly. This way, I can scoop food into his mouth with no fuss. I know, not the best ideas (me spoon feeding him and allowing the iPad at the table), but sometimes I just have to get it in him.
My goal is to reduce my sons screen time in half. If I plan this well, he may not even notice the change!
The Plan:
- Include the kids in the planning process. Ask when and where they think that they can cut out screen time. Write down the plan and give it a try for a day.
- Set the timer. For whatever reason, kids seem to accept that the beeping of the timer means it’s time to stop the current activity with little or no complaint. You’re off the hook too because Mom didn’t say “Turn off the TV” but rather the timer did.
- Place devices out of sight (including yours!). Put the iPad, phone, etc away or out of your’s and your child’s view. Lead by example and turn off the notifications on your own devices. Also, avoid checking your phone in front of your children. Monkey see, monkey do!
- Get creative! Have a few fun activities planned (crafts, science experiments, build a fort) in place of screen time. I want to try a few activities from Jean Van’t Hul’s Screen-Free Week Activities post. I particularly think that my son will love the light box and contact paper sun catchers.
- Plan an outing. Sometimes kids want that device and it’s hard to convince them otherwise. Plan an outing before the tantrum begins. Don’t ask, tell them, “We’re going outside!”. Then give them a choice, “Would you like to go on a treasure hunt or would you like to make a mud pie?”. Other ideas are a library excursion, a play at the park, riding bikes, a museum visit, walking the dog, inviting a friend over, or going swimming. Sometimes getting out of the house and away from the device is the only way to distract the child.
- Make a potty bag. Alex and I will collect non-screen activities that he can play with while he is on the potty. Some items might include books and little toys.
This week is called screen-free week but I know that going completely screen-free will be too drastic for my children. I’m going with a screen-reduction week as I think this is something that we’ll be able to accomplish. By reducing screen time, I hope to see an increase in my children’s imagination, creativity, and in their sense of wonder.
Do you plan to observe screen-free week? What are your strategies to reduce screen-time? In a couple of weeks, I will report back and let you all know how our screen-reduction week went. Wish me luck and thanks for stopping by the blog today!
If you would like to download the screen time chart to document your child’s screen time, click the link below:
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