During the school year, you probably structure your child’s routine around the time she spends in preschool. But summer’s coming. What will occupy the hours your child will not be in school?
Guard against filling the time gap with television and other screen-based activities. It is important to limit these activities in summer as well as during the school year because:
Too much TV and computer time rob your child of a great summer gift—nice weather and long days she could spend in active play.
Extra TV and screen time now creates a bad habit you may struggle to break in the fall.
Keep your preschooler’s summer screen time in check with these tips:
Allow no more than two hours of total screen time per day. Keep track of how much time your child spends in front of the TV or computer with a timer or a chart.
Give your child a job when you are busy instead of sitting her in front of the TV. Have her sort socks, pick up toys or help you put lightweight groceries away.
Create an “I’m Bored Box.” With your child, make a list of fun activities that she can do all by herself. Activities can include things such as coloring, sorting items, looking at a book, playing with puppets. Stock all of the items she’ll need for the tasks in the box. The next time your child is bored, pull out the box instead of turning on the television!
Reprinted with permission from the May 2008 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Early Childhood Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2008 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc.
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