Balance your child’s screen time at home

The digitization of education due to the pandemic has left parents ruffled as they are practicing the fine art of balancing between online classes and screen time.

However, this fine line can be managed with simple, easy hacks at home. Initially, it will be frustrating as a parent but instead of yelling at the child, try to implement some of the hacks we have curated by the counseling department of one of the best schools in Ahmedabad.

1. Prepare a timetable
It may sound odd, but if you prepare a timetable for your child, you may be able to make out how many hours your child spends on the screen. Allot a specific time for online games and try to stick to them. Don’t give in to the child’s demands easily.

2. Check school homework daily
Your child gets enough homework and projects from school. Some of the best CBSE schools in Ahmedabad provide homework regularly and parents should monitor their child’s school work. Check whether they have been submitted or not. Follow up with the child to ensure that assignments are submitted on time.

3. Reading time
Make reading mandatory at home. It can be anything from the daily newspaper, kindle books, children’s magazines, or any science fiction or adventure stories. You can also visit the school during school hours and get the books from the library. Zebar School provides Times NIE daily to each student. Check to connect millions and motivate your child to read it.

4. Cultivate hobbies in your child
Give them new books, paints, puzzles, and crosswords to solve. If your child loves reading, encourage your child to buy new books to read. Follow your child’s favorite author and buy the newly launched books.

5. Board Games
Bring board games back home. You can use Chess, Ludo, Carrom Board, or Scrabble. Sit with your child and try to play at least twice a week.

6. Household chores
Assign your child simple household tasks like filling up water bottles, organizing the room, or watering the plants. Appreciate the child if the job is finished.

7. Weekend Special
Make each weekend special. Take them on long drives, sit with them, and ensure that their classwork and homework are finished. Find out what they have accomplished in the week. Plan a family cooking session; children love baking. If not baking, you can teach them to make sandwiches and juices every weekend.

8. Stop mindless scrolling on your screen
Children lead by example. If you stop checking your social pages on weekends, children will get more attention and shall follow you. Never talk to a child while checking your phone; it gives them a negative signal. Always keep the phone aside and talk to your child.

9. Create bedtime rituals
Bedtime rituals are necessary as it helps the children to maintain a sleep cycle. Don’t allow children to play video games late at night. Make it a point to switch off the lights at 10 pm.

10. No Gadget Hour
Introduce your children to a ‘No Gadget Hour’ trend. It is a new trend catching up fast in Western countries. All you must do is fix a family time when no one touches the gadgets for that particular time. You can initially start with one hour daily in the evening and slowly move on to two hours. Appreciate and reward your child if they follow it. Make the reward exciting and creative for the child. It can be anything like ordering an ice cream treat or playing with them.

Patience is the key to changing habits in children. So keep patient and try the alternatives mentioned above in our blog. If, in any case, you don’t see any positive change in your child and you find that the child remains glued to the screen, then you can contact the school counselor. Top CBSE schools in Ahmedabad provide personalized counseling services for the child. Get in touch with the counseling department and try to work out a solution today.