Reduce screen time
The childhood obesity epidemic is partially blamed on all of the screen time our children get It is estimated that school age children watch over four hours of TV or other screens per day.
Approximately 60% of children have TV in their bedrooms. This is problematic for many reasons. The parent is not monitoring content or time spent. Watching TV is passive and slows down metabolism. The advertising specializes in catering to young minds and encourages increased sugar and fat intake.
Violent video games contribute to more aggressive behavior in children. Video games cause isolation and have even been directly related to suicides in some adolescents.
Children need unstructured play time. It increases creativity and problem solving ability. Remember when playing with the box was better than the toy?
What can you as a parent do? Set clear and exact limits on screen time. No TV under two years of age. Only two hours of total screen time for older children. Never put a TV in your child’s room. Suggest fun things for your child to do. Give them art supplies, books, board games, riding bikes or playing pretend.