The fact that children can't let go of their phones and are always staring at them is an extremely painful problem. Many parents want to get rid of their children's phone addiction but don't know how to use it. Forcing your child to give up their phone will only make the situation worse. Let's refer to the following 5 extremely effective methods to help your children live true to their childhood.
Parents are role models for their children to follow
Most children's actions come from imitating their parents, so before asking their children to stop using electronic devices, parents also need to review their own usage habits. If your time is not reasonable, it will be difficult to wean your child from phone addiction.
Parents should also consider how often they use their phones
Besides controlling the frequency of phone use for your child to follow, you also need to set a specific time period for your child not to use the phone. Initially, you should set a short period of time so your child can accept it, then gradually increase it. You can also design a phone-free area for children, such as the bedroom, dining room... to avoid children being distracted and unable to complete anything.
Limit phone usage time
Setting a time limit on phone use is also an extremely effective method to wean children from phone addiction. Parents should discuss carefully with their children about the specific time they can use the phone. For example, a child is allowed to use phones and other electronic devices for a total of 2 hours a day. After children get used to this time, parents can gradually reduce the time they use the phone. However, you should not stop completely.
In case children use electronic devices for more than the prescribed time, parents should not suddenly snatch the phone back. This will cause extreme reactions because the child is interrupted. You should gently ask your child to give the phone back, and explain that if you don't give it now, your child will not be good and will not be allowed to use the phone tomorrow. This explanation also increases understanding between family members, helping children understand their parents better.
Talk and share with children about the harmful effects of phones
Once children have their own awareness and opinions, you should learn to openly discuss the harmful effects of not weaning your child off their phone addiction. Most importantly, parents need to maintain a gentle attitude with their children, and at the same time provide convincing evidence so that children believe in the possible consequences of uncontrolled phone use. Children will listen and comply with their parents' advice more.
Serious talks also partly solve the problem
For school-going children, parents can use the phone as a learning tool by instructing children how to surf the web and play social networks safely. Parents should also listen to their children's needs and questions to help them orient their thinking in the right way. This will minimize your child's exposure to harmful content on social networks
Spend time playing with toys and reading books with your children
In their free time, parents can play toys and read books with their children because these ways not only strengthen family bonds, help parents and children understand each other's interests, but are also a way to overcome Phone addiction for children is very effective. You can use assembly toys , role-playing toys , educational toys ... to cultivate your child's childhood. Toys are also recommended by many experts because of their benefits in developing thinking and skills.
Spending some time playing with your child every day is a way to break your child's phone addiction
Reading books with your child will help your child develop the habit of reading quickly. At the same time, you can also explain some ideas to help them understand more deeply about the book they are reading. Reading also helps children expand their vocabulary and develop their imagination through stories. When you first start, you should choose interesting books with easy-to-understand topics and happy endings to make your child more interested.
Offer rewards when your child reduces screen time
To help your child get rid of phone addiction, don't forget to praise and reward their efforts. Instead of rewarding your child with money, you can reward your child with a trip to the zoo, or play a game with him that he likes. It is important that you show interest and encouragement in a timely manner.
Rewards in the process of giving children phone addiction treatment are a way of positive encouragement. However, parents need to pay attention to the way of rewarding and the frequency of giving rewards so as not to make their children dependent. You need to make sure your child understands the purpose of weaning them off their phone addiction as well as how to take responsibility for their own actions.
Quitting phone addiction for children is not easy. This is something that requires a lot of time and tolerance and patience from parents. Please give your children more time and talk more so that their childhood is full of laughter, parents!