5 mantras to de-addict kids from gadgets
By Shivaaneey Rai
Undoubtedly, gadgets have made kids smarter, occupied and less troublesome at the cost of issues such as lack of human interaction, cognitive delays, increased impulsivity, decreased ability to self-regulation, reduced interaction and increased radiation exposure. Gadgets are not only inviting mental and health issues that the older generations may not have been prey to. They take away so much from kids. We cannot abstain from changes driven by technology but we can refrain our kids from excessive usage. For most parents, it seems like an impossible mission to get their kids de-addicted from gadgets. The change may not happen overnight and you ought to be patient. We’ve got the top 5 mantras that may help you
1. Reward Jar
Make a reward jar, for every two hours of different activities such as reading a few pages of a book, writing an essay, doing chores the child earns 30 minutes of gadget-time.
2. Media-free zones / Media-free days
Make your dining area, garden area a media-free zone twice a week or a couple of hours in a day where activities that involve more personal interaction take place.
3. Be a team-player for de-addiction and not a parent
It is our job to encourage a healthy behaviour and atmosphere. To make these unpopular decisions the tough ways don’t work, you need to be as friendly as you can, try being a team player and you’ll get a better result.
To make this successful, engage the whole family with the kids, make it more adventurous and interesting by adding challenges of healthier meals that would add up more points to them, merge it with activities like going to bed on time or other self disciplinary activities.
4. Use the old-generation methods of doing activities
Be it tracking time, playing games or any other activity use the older methods like looking at the wall clock instead of the mobile, play board games, indulge in outdoor activities, keep reading and writing an essential.
5. Take up outdoor activities
Tour yourself with your kids on a trek, camping activity or a swim or an outdoor sport that would keep your kid aligned to physical activity. Any physical activity will promote healthy growth and development of the child and enhance a healthier body composition, motor skills and thinking skills.