collaborative post
If you're like many others, you may find it difficult to get your child off their smartphone or tablet. Screen time is becoming a serious problem with the average child (aged 7-16) spending more than 6 hours on their devices. It’s particularly worrying given how crucial these years are for their development. According to research, excessive screen time can inhibit healthy brain function and even thin the prefrontal cortex over time. Just an hour alone can have behavioural and mental health implications. The problem is that they are incredibly addictive and help to fill time when we’re bored. To combat this, we have created a list of 5 screen-free activities that you can do with your children.
This is a collaborative piece that we’ve created with the help of an independent school in Somerset.
Visit the Zoo
We’re not the only inhabitants of the planet. We share it along with many other species and with global warming, they are dying out. Zoos look after animals and help us to develop a greater appreciation for nature.
Baking
If your child has a sweet tooth, they might enjoy baking. They will have the opportunity to learn all about how to make their favourite treats and taste-test them once they are done. It also incorporates different educational lessons so will also support their learning and development.
Visit The Park
Sometimes the simplest things are the most fulfilling. Parks have plenty to offer. Beautiful scenery, walking trails, ducks to feed and climbing frames to play on. They will be able to get some fresh air and exercise as they are able to roam around freely.
Have a Family Games Night
It’s important to spend time with your children as it helps to create strong family bonds, boosts their self-esteem, and promotes good behaviour. Family games night is a way in which you can get to know each other better and pull them away from their devices. There’s nothing better than real human interaction and playing games in person trumps playing fictional characters on screen.
Visit Museums
Museums are filled with ancient artefacts and reinforce what children are taught in school. They can see them first-hand and develop a greater understanding and appreciation. Many of them are also free to attend, making for a cheap and cheerful day out.
We hope that these ideas gave some inspiration. For more posts like this, be sure to check out our blog archive.
