Getting Baby Back On Books After Too Much Screen Time
, especially in such a fast-evolving tech world filled with distractions. When kids have positive interactions with books, they cultivate good feelings about reading, which will motivate them to keep seeking out books and other literacy materials as they get old. Still, is inevitable because it is fun and keeps the child distracted while you tend to other duties.
Most parents promise themselves that they’ll only limit screen time to sick days, airplanes, and when it’s really necessary because they don’t want their kids glued to the TV all day. However, TVs, tablets, and gadgets bring with them a whole new colorful world that hooks kids instantly, and before you know it, their new favorite word is a cartoon. So, a child that had developed a reading ritual may suddenly lose interest in reading. For most kids, screens offer something much more fun.
And even though TV and apps can be both interactive and educational, it would also be great if your child got back to book reading. So how do you reintroduce your child back to books after they’re hooked on gadgets? Read on for more.
Why Toddlers Love Books
When toddlers engage with books, something completely magical happens. Seeing their wide-eyed face light up at the helm of a book can make any parent’s heart soar. According to , the reasoning behind why toddlers love books is multi-faceted. When being read to, the reader and the child pay attention to something together, which has positive effects on cognitive development. The toddler is also usuallyand perhaps establishing some social-emotional self-soothing routines. Toddlers are tiny sponges soaking up everything around them, which is part of the reason why a book-reading habit sinks in so deeply at such a young age.
Why Kids Get Hooked To TV Easily
It’s extremely hard to take children completely off screens in such a digital world. Due to inadequate time and piling workloads, most parents resort to smart screens and gadgets to engage their kids. TV is an easier option to divert your child’s curious mind. However, according to , screens provoke the reward mechanism of the brain’s pleasure arts, making the kid more addicted. This occurs because screens in whatever form- smartphones, tabs, video games, televisions, etc. are highly stimulating. Screens offer the best in auditory, visual, and sensory, and no one, not even parents, can compete with this.
How To Get A Child Back On Books
While both screens and books can be good for your child, the critical thing is to strike a balance and ensure that your child gets the best of both worlds. Here’s how to get your tot back to reading:
Start small and make it fun- The first and best tip for reading books with a toddler is to have fun together. If kids are involved and enjoying themselves, they’re learning. Also, start your baby back with a few minutes at a go. It’s OK if you don’t finish the story. According to , young kids can only sit for a couple of minutes for a story, but as they’re growing, they can sit longer. Besides, is likely shorter due to screen time. So, let them decide how much time they spend reading. And there’s no need to read every page. Your child probably has their favorite page or picture, and they want to linger there for a while, then switch to another book or activity. It’s advisable to let your child explore the book in the ways that interest him; that way, the experience is more meaningful .
Make it a daily ritual- advises that you make reading a habit at least every day. You can read together every night without fail. On the nights she’s wound up and doesn’t want to go to bed, this routine will put her in a mellow mood and calm her down.
Find a calm special place- You can create your own unique reading place to read together to avoid distractions. You can stock it with pillows and blankets, light some candles, and then lay the book selection there with you. It’s the perfect, cozy reading area to keep your toddler glued to the book.
Let them choose- Your child is bound to have her , and you will probably groan inwardly and sometimes, outwardly when she requests you to read the same old book for the 100th time. However, these cherished favorites are what comfort and entertain him. So, go with it, at least for now.
Don’t eliminate screen time completely- You’re freaking out because you don’t want your toddler to be addicted to screens. Introducing TV and gadgets made your toddler discover his voracious appetite for it. However, there’s no need to pack it all in. Just make sure that there’s a balance because technology is OK when balanced with other activities. Be strategic with when, how much, and how often you let your toddler imbibe.
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