3 Ways to Teach Young Kids to Balance Tech Use
Now that the school year has officially ended, it seems like all my eight-year-old wants to do is spend time on his tablet just playing video games. And although I know he just wants to be and decompress after a long school year; I don’t want him to feel like the first thing he does when he gets up in the morning or when he is 'bored' is to pick up the device and go off to a corner.
I want him to look up at the world and feel like he has options other than those offered on a 7-inch screen. And I do get that kids get a lot out of technology, but I find there is more value in having young elementary-aged kids disconnect from devices and use it as it intended to be, a tool.
Keeping a healthy tech-life balance for children can be challenging, especially when having to juggle life's demands. But it can be done. Along with consistency, patience, and dedication, we have implemented the following three components to aid in a healthy tech-life balance for our kids.
Make the time to turn off the devices and be present. Creating rituals where, as a family outdoor activities and interpersonal connections are the primary objective is what has helped us better understand one another. Having them ask questions and use technology as the tool is it intended to be to get answers gets them to understand the different ways technology helps.
Model healthy tech behavior. Putting the phone down and giving the boys our undivided attention is key to helping them feel Get into the habit of disconnecting and logging more hours into your family memory capsules.
Establish tech balance early. Getting both my boys into the habit of unplugging is key. My goal is not to have them feel as if they can not function without theses devices at their disposal.
In the end, I am looking to establish responsible and balanced tech habits that will help my boys engage in real life.
