1. Keep screens away from bedrooms and away
from bedtime. Screens impede sleep. The blue
light emitted by screens on cell phones, computers,
tablets, and televisions restrain the production of
melatonin, which makes it harder to fall and stay
asleep. Sleep deprivation can lead to impulsive
behavior and more erratic emotions. In order to
prevent screens from negatively affecting sleep, end
screen exposure at least one hour before bedtime.
It’s also important to get screens out of your child’s
room so they establish healthy sleep associations.
2. No screen during meals. Being mindful of what
you’re eating - how it looks, tastes, feels and
smells, can reduce consumption and increase food
satisfaction. With childhood obesity on the rise,
taking simple measures like this could help create
good habits early on. Not to mention that much of
what’s advertised on TV and YouTube is junk food.
3. Don’t let TV be a coping mechanism. TV can be
a good distraction. But the screen shouldn’t be a
coping mechanism for kids. I personally started to
notice that when my child got upset, she wanted the
screen. Perhaps your child does too. As tempting
as it is to stick a screen in front of your child to
prevent a meltdown or tantrum, resorting to this
tactic wouldn’t teach kids how to self-soothe. It’s
important to shift the frame work of tantrums
in young children from unacceptable to part of
learning how to cope. A child needs to learn to cope
through healthy outlets like exercise instead.
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