The screens They occupy a prominent place in our daily lives and also in that of our children. Eliminating them is something that we do not contemplate, but we do know that we must limit their use and, above all, limit the use that our children make of them. Experts do not stop warning about the dangers of a child growing up glued to a screen, be it the television, tablet or mobile. Giving a good example of use and controlling the time they are connected is essential to take care of the mental and emotional health of the little ones. To help you set clear boundaries, a good starting point is to know When should you not give screens to your children?and we warn you, some of them are where you would most like to give them.
at meals
It’s very tempting to let your children watch their favorite cartoon or series when it’s time to eat, because that way they don’t focus so much on the food and it’s easier for them to finish the whole plate. But the truth is that it is better for them not to eat everything than not to enjoy the moment of sitting at the table, appreciating the food and talking with the rest of the people who are with them. Mindful eating is essential to develop a good relationship with food and screens are a great impediment to achieve this.
when they get bored
Sometimes we feel that if our children are bored we have to offer them entertainment and, obviously, the screens are. The good news is that boredom is positive and helps children to develop both their autonomy and their creativity. If we solve boredom with a screen, they will lose the opportunity to discover the world around them.
when they have a tantrum
There is no child who does not go through a stage in which tantrums are an almost daily constant, something that is very desperate for parents. We know that giving them the tablet or mobile can be a solution, but it is not the most appropriate. If we really want the tantrums to be something anecdotal and that the child learn to manage your emotionsyou have to have a positive attitude and deal with him the reasons that have led him to get angry.
Before going to sleep
This guideline works for both children and adults, but it is the little ones who need our supervision, so make sure they do not use a screen for at least two hours before going to sleep. Take advantage of that time to a relaxing bath, dinner and reading a story. It will cost them less to fall asleep and the sleep will be more restful.
When there are more children
We like our children to stay with other children to play, but as soon as we neglect it, it is very possible that we find ourselves glued to a screen (or several). It is essential for their development that they live in the real world and take advantage of those occasions to socialize and playsomething fundamental for them and that they do not usually have as often as they should on many occasions.
