Weekends – they are the best of times, but they CAN be the worst of times!
Felicia and I had noticed a trend, and it was concerning us.
The trend was that when we got busy on the weekend getting ‘chores’ done – the boys would get bored and loll about, asking for biscuits, lollies, juice, and wanting to watch TV or play computer games.
When we absolutely had to get stuff done – it was very easy to give in to the whinge, and just turn on Kids TV or a movie.
Yes, yes, We know, WE KNOW that TV is not the best for kids. But it was very tempting and convenient!
But the thing we really noticed is – the boys weren’t better for it.
They would get really cranky and bored with each other and fight, and the general behaviour went down the toilet.
So we introduced the idea of “Screen free days”. This became a game, and we talked it over with the boys when we introduced it.
They would ask once or twice – but after we had set down the ground rules – they realised, and wandered off to create a game.
So far it’s working great! The boys have come up with great games, like “Playing firemen” (water pistols from the cubby), “Camping” where they get various drink bottles, school bags, and set up a ‘fireplace’ with bricks & sticks, and today they put on a show (waking up from behind a blanket) for our entertainment!
Fireplace
Also – even on other days that are NOT screen free days – they’re more motivated to get out and enjoy the outside and use their imagination.
For example – we’ve just had a lovely coffee and a bit of a chat – and I have had 30 minutes of RELAXING time – reading up on some items of interest, catching up on work administratia and blogging.
WOW!
Now – this is working right now for us – our boys seem to be at an age where they are really imaginative. Sometimes we have to put the rule down, and then work through the whinge – not giving in, until the message gets through.
But it’s tons better than being slowly bludgeoned to death by the TV!
Our guidelines for screen free days:
No TV or Computers for the boys.
We as parents must use common sense!
Don’t leave them un-attended – have a listening ear.
If it’s raining outside – not a good choice for that day.
Not every day, but occasionally, makes it fun & easy.
Why is this a great idea?
Our kids are using their imagination, their brains & their bodies.
They are learning useful skills.
They are becoming self-motivated.
They learn to sort out their differences between themselves.
And it’s backed up by research too!
Some studies show that 0-14year old kids spent 142 minutes (on average) watching TV (PER DAY).
That’s over two hours! Crikey! Two hours to be out enjoying nature, building negotiation skills, learning how to navigate rapids, learning to ride a motorbike, put fires out, put up tents, trampolining, or entertain crowds of people. Like they’re doing right now.
Young Jumpers Trampolining!
Firemen (with funny faces)
Learning to Ride a Motorbike!
And more:
“Research has shown the wealthiest 30 per cent of Australian children spend more than half an hour a day more than their poorer peers at school, studying, reading, doing homework and music lessons.
The well-off children also spend 20 minutes more each day doing organised sport, and 10 minutes more eating.
The pay-off for parents is that they spend 42 minutes less watching TV or playing video games.”
….
Tim Olds, a professor at the school of health sciences at the University of South Australia, analysed the data from the 2007 Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey of nine- to 16-year-olds.
“An extra 40 minutes a day is three hours a week, and over the course of schooling is equivalent to a year of full-time work. So it does go some way in explaining educational differences [between wealthier and poorer students], he said.
It tells us we need to look at ways in which parents can be helped to get kids away from the screen.”
For the full article – click here: Sydney Morning Herald
Hmm. Really makes you think! We definitely are going to keep up the practice of “Screen free days”.
Enjoy!
J
