Help Kids Develop Healthy Habits

Too Much of a Good Thing

When used appropriately mediums such as TV, and the Internet can be wonderful ways to provide entertainment and education for kids, but if not monitored and provided with time restrictions, the side effects can be unhealthy.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) children under the age of two-years shouldn't really have any TV time, and children older than two-years of age should be limited to no more than one or two hours each day of quality, family/kid focused programming.

Time spent watching television or using the Internet should also be mixed with a healthy variety of activities such as playing with friends, participating in sports, and reading, or creating arts & crafts projects using tools such as custom rubber stamps, or traditional implements like craft paper, markers, finger paints, and water colors. Keeping kids involved in a variety of activities is important in helping them develop healthy bodies and minds.

Here's a list of additional tips and hints for keeping TV and Internet time healthy:

• Provide plenty of books, magazines, toys, board games, puzzles, etc. in the TV room, and regularly try to interest kids in a new activity.

 

• Don't place televisions in bedrooms - kids, or adults. Studies have shown that keeping bedrooms strictly for periods of rest can help guard against insomnia and other sleep problems.

 

• Don't watch TV while having meals. Family meals can be one of the best times to catch-up on the events of the day, share conversations and laughter, and create lifelong happy memories. These positive things are interrupted when the television is switched on.

 

• Make homework time television free. Kids learn better and achieve more when they work free from distractions.

 

• Approach time spent on TV and the Internet as something to be earned, rather than as a right, or something they might be entitled to.

 

• Set an example through your own actions - the amount of time you spend watching TV and online shouldn't be excessive.

 

• Check out TV listings and reviews together to select programs that are safe for kids to watch on their own, and also programs that are great for the whole family to watch together.

 

• Discuss what's seen on TV and the Internet. Encourage kids to provide their thoughts, observations, and feelings, and share your own. Ask questions designed to be thought-provoking to get kids talking.

 

• Keep the computer in family areas of the home, and make sure kids are in the room with you when using a laptop.

 

• Discuss Internet safety and spend time online together - teach kids about appropriate behavior online.

Balance and moderation are key to all aspects of life, so make them your guide in keeping your kids activities organized, as well.

This guest post was written by Stephani Spitzer, a freelance writer and mom who loves spending time with her daughters creating fun crafts using rubber
stamps.

Related posts:

1. Kids Dresser: Functional Storage Space