How to Wean Children Off Television

The glowing box seems to hypnotize children with their favorite characters gracing the screen, but too much TV becomes unhealthy. Effects of too much screen time include obesity, sleep problems, difficulty paying attention and difficulties in school, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. On HealthyChildren.org, the AAP recommends a maximum 1 or 2 hours of daily entertainment screen time. The shows your child watches should be educational, without violence. Pulling the plug permanently may cause an uproar, but gradually cutting back helps you get to a healthier balance of activities.

Instructions

    • 1

      Talk to your child about cutting back on TV time. Let her know that sitting for long periods of time isn't healthy for her body. Remind her that she needs to stay active and use her imagination.

    • 2

      Calculate the amount of TV time your child watches now. Establish the ideal max screen time for your kids. Use this information to determine how much you need to cut back. WebMD suggests cutting back the TV time by 1 hour each week to gradually reach your ideal viewing time.

    • 3

      Remove TVs from bedrooms. Use one main TV in a common family area for viewing shows. This helps you control how much time your child spends watching TV.

    • 4

      Schedule times when your child is allowed to watch television. Block out time for family meals, homework and active play time when TV is not allowed. Post a schedule with the times, or put a sign on the screen during no-TV times.

    • 5

      Choose high-quality shows with your child. Encourage him to maximize the decreased TV time by watching shows that are both enjoyable and educational. By helping him prioritize the shows he wants to watch, he doesn't waste the TV time he has on shows he doesn't really enjoy.

    • 6

      Watch TV with your child when she does get screen time. Talk to her about what you are viewing to make the time educational. Use the time to really focus on the message of the shows she watches to ensure it is a program you feel comfortable with her watching.

    • 7

      Schedule time for other activities as a family. Play with him instead of just telling him to do something other than watch TV. This way, you get bonding time while also getting him into the habit of doing something active instead of sitting in front of a screen all day.

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