5210 > Screen Time

Are you always on the go? Do you frequent the drive-thru, resigned to make unhealthy eating choices?

Children and television go hand in hand. With everything that there is to watch on TV these days, it’s easy to get lost in the shows that you and your children are watching. Even though some things on TV can be informational, there are some negative effects on too much screen time.

Kid and his mother playing on a tablet
Small kid drinking soda from a can
Learn to snack in the best way!

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People working out in the outdoors
Just like adults, children need their exercise

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Family smiling outside in the sun
Simple planning can go a long way

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Happy family in a garden
Just as important as exercise

5210 At Home Activities

Father preparing dinner with is daughter
Simple planning can go a long way

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The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting a child’s use of TV, movies, video and computer games to no more than two hours a day. Healthy Lee provides you with this guide to children and TV, including what you can do to keep your child’s screen time in check:
  • Take a family walk around the neighborhood after dinner.
  • Pull out photo albums. Try Game night. Plan family time. Hide the remotes and hand held devices, they will never know. Create school day rules. Do not have the TV on as this will tempt them to get in front and watch. Try to be an example – if kids see you reading, they are likely to want to read, too.
  • Have family discussions without the television on, or at least turn off the television during dinner time. When you arrive home, try not to turn on the television at all. With quiet time you get a chance to hear each other without distractions. When you talk more with each other you may discover hidden secrets, desires or dreams within your family.
  • Involve your kids with household chores. Teach them the love of reading and cooking.
  • Have kids go to bed early. They need lots of sleep for brain development and growth.
  • Keep them entertained with other things like talking about how their day went.
  • Pick one show or movie per day you and your family all enjoy that you can all watch together.
  • Have family board game time, family activity game time, and family reading time.
  • Make the family go outside! Take up kayaking or fishing.
  • Turn off the TV, computer, cell phones and other hand-held devices at a certain time every day.