Other than this, kids can use that time in other active like reading books, enjoying sports with friends or family shopping. Such activities surely limit their screen time and keep them healthier and developing a positive sense. Here are some practical directions for you to help you to limit screen time of kids.
Reducing kids' TV and Gaming hours:
Foremost, never keep TV's in your kids' rooms. Keeping TV's in your kids' room will surely waste their time and also make it difficult for them to involve in other activities which are vital for their health and growth. Also, make it practice to unplug your TV when kids are busy in completing their school assignments. Another way to reduce kids' TV or gaming time is always switching off your TV during meal time because watching TV or playing video games during meal adds more minutes to their meal time which is not a positive sign for their growth.Fixing up your Own Interaction with TV:
One of the best examples you can apply on yourself is to spend a limited time on TV which lets your kids easily practice. Since, your kids get themselves busy in activities by following your life styles so you can set a good example for them.Plan a Fix Time for Family TV Entertainment:
Discuss with all of your family members including kids to keep a suitable TV and gaming time and then fix up the time for family TV entertainment. Make that time a schedule and put on any common place of your house to be easily viewed. Also take responsibility of turning off your TV when the time is over.Having Reviews of Video Games and TV Shows:
Always have a review and check whether those TV shows and video games which kids will be entertained from, are reliable for their health and growth or not. You may have an idea by trailers or from your co-workers and friends etc. Also share your thoughts with your kids about TV shows like you can say, "Do you think it was a nice end?" or "what will you do if you were replaced for that character?"Give them Alternate Choices:
If you are facing toughness to control the screen time of your kids after struggling enough then offer alternate choices to your kids. For example, you can buy medical comic books for them which educate them about diseases awareness or graphic novels explaining diseases to kids. Try out puzzles or cards, also hide and seeks or riddles.Be a Computer Educated Person:
Keep finding ways about how you can cut down the inappropriate use of computer and internet especially in young kids.Keeping PC at Middle Place:
Make sure that you keep your PC where you can easily examine your kids' behavior towards accessing computer and internet.Using a Shared Email ID:
By using a shared email ID with your young kids will let you notice how they communicate with others and from whom they are receiving email messages.Sharing Kids Related Sites:
Find out what are education and health related sites on internet for kids. There are many useful and entertaining online websites, some of them are related to kids' health, some are education related, some are about disease awareness for kids, and some are for entertainment purposes. However, kids will prefer those which fulfill the awareness purposes in an entertaining way.Article source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/limited-screen-time-more-healthy-kids-1943580.html