Cold weather and a winter break from school can make an unfortunate combination. Without being able to do a lot of things outdoors, kids will be stuck inside looking for things to do. The first thing they will turn to is their electronics: TV, video games, cellphones, and computers.
No one wants to raise a couch potato. Parents love to see their kids being active and adventurous and pursuing hobbies outside of their screens. These things are also crucial for their overall development. Time spent outside or participating in extracurricular activities expands children's learning and growth.
Hoisting your child off the couch is easier said than done in today's world. Kids are getting plugged in at a younger and younger age. Some are already so hooked to their devices that it's a battle to just get them offline. Here are a few tips that can help you get your own little sofa spud up and moving.
1. Get a Grip on Screen Time
Couch potatohood typically correlates with prolonged screen time. As a parent, your responsibility is to balance screen time with other activities. If you give your child free rein over their own schedule, their screen time will get out of control.
Start by keeping track of the hours and minutes your child spends looking at screens. This will give you an exact picture of how much screen time your child is actually using. Otherwise, you may assume they're on their electronic devices too much, even if they're actually doing just fine.
The types of devices you make available can make a big difference. For example, for Christmas, you can opt to give your child a kids phone rather than a standard smartphone. A kids phone is still new and helpful, but it lacks features like games and internet access that can make electronics dangerous or addictive.
2. Organize Activities
Kids are incredibly imaginative and creative. However, that creativity seems to disappear when they're told to turn off a device and find something else to do. They'll complain about being bored without actually looking for a replacement activity.
What your child needs is a nudge in the right direction. Make a list of activities that your child can do over the winter break. Kids in northern climes can go skating, sledding, or snowshoeing. Kids further south can take hikes or even ride their bikes. One of your ideas is likely to stick and keep them entertained for the day.
If the weather's really nasty, propose indoor activities to keep them occupied. Puzzles, Legos, arts and crafts, cooking, and more can all keep your kids productively entertained. When you find an activity that's a hit, suggest variations to keep the fun fresh. Soon your child will have a list of things they enjoy doing that can offset their screen time.
3. Set the Example
Your child will always look to you as an example. If you have a tendency to spend a lot of time on your personal device, they will do the same. The more you unplug and stay active, the easier it will be to help your child do the same.
It can be pretty tempting to spend your free time scrolling through social media. The next time you feel the urge, think about what your kid is seeing. Suggest a family walk in the snow or a trip to the bowling alley instead.
Set some goals for yourself and your own personal screen time. Use the tracking app on your phone to reduce time spent on social media throughout the day. Try to limit your TV watching and gaming to times when your child is also allowed to do the same. Your example may be the most effective effort you make toward preventing a couch potato from taking root in your home.
4. Encourage Them to Spend Time With Friends
Having good friends is very important for children. Playing with other kids helps them to develop social skills and relationships. Having a friend around makes it more fun to get off the couch and play games like hide and seek.
Even playing video games with a friend can at least make the screen time your child has more beneficial. Co-op gaming involves coordinating, communication, competition, and more. If your kid is going to be playing games anyhow, getting a friend involved will make it a more social experience.
5. Reward Learning and Exploration
Every chance you get you should reinforce and reward your child for learning and exploring. Your first reaction to your kid dragging mud through the house is probably to scold them, which is understandable. However, a better approach would be to show interest in their adventures. Then instruct them to clean up after themselves and keep their shoes outside next time!
Kids respond strongly to affirmations. If you're making an effort to point out the behavior you like to see, you're more likely to see it repeated. Commend your child every time you catch them reading a book or drawing a picture so they'll know they are pursuing something worthwhile.
On particularly dreary days, there's nothing wrong with snuggling up on the couch and watching a good movie. The problem arises when screens start to take over your child's life. If you help your child have a productive winter, they'll carry good habits with them throughout their life.
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