Set ground rules to ease those young fingers
off the tablet. We share some tips.
When you bought your five-year-old that tablet for
his birthday six months ago, you never imagined he’d be glued to it.
When you bought your five-year-old that
tablet for his birthday six months ago, you never imagined he’d be glued to it
– he plays with it before he goes to school, when he comes home from school and
even watches TV programmes or Youbtube videos on it while eating his meals.
He throws a tantrum every time you try to
take it way. Prying his fingers off the gadget is a wrestling match. He’s
probably sleep with it if you allow him to.
How do you wean him off this addiction?
How much is too much?
Play
the same game again and again
The tablet offers many potential benefits –
for example, from assisting his learning and boosting his concentration (as he
focuses his attention while watching stuff on it) to the sheer fun from playing
a game or watching a funny video.
But too much time on it – even when he uses
it only for genuine learning activities – can have negative consequences. Here
are some telltale signs that he’s spending too much time with the digital
tablet. He would:
·
Have a bored expression on his face and appear
restless
·
Complain that he has a headache and feels sick
·
Play the same game again and again
·
Walk away when you give him a toy to play with
instead
·
No longer enjoy any physical activity except
playing with his tablet
Set ground rules
Just
as he won't play these when he’s glued to the tablet, he won't have time for
the tablet when he’s busy playing!
Weaning him takes time and patience. Most
professionals recommend that a five-year-old should spend no more than an hour
each day on such a device – and that hour should be split into blocks of time.
Once you’ve decided on the time limit and the number of blocks, stick to it.
Observe how he uses the gadget within the
set time limit. Ensure that he uses it mainly for educational purposes. And if
he does surf or play games, make sure they are for his age group. And try to
discourage him from playing the same one endlessly.
Ignore his complaints when you take the
gadget away and simply direct him to other activities. Make sure he has a good
range of toys and games ready. Encourage him to get involved in different play
activities every day.
Just as he won't play these when he’s glued
to the tablet, he won't have time for the tablet when he’s busy playing!
Outdoor play in the garden or the park is best when it comes to distracting him
from technology.
Once he sees the range of exciting
alternatives available, he’ll soon broaden his daily routine, especially if you
support and share some if these activities with him. Remember that suitable,
structured use of a computer for a limited amount of time each day can be a
useful part of his routine. Just don’t let it dominate.
