Let's Play: 4 Tips for Getting Your Kids to Play More and Play Healthier
Kids just don't get enough time to play these days, and even when given the time they typically don't make the most of it. A combination of paranoia induced by mass media, busy schedules, a dependence on media, and new set of American values has kids spending too much time around the house and taking life a little too seriously. Far more than just an interesting development in modern human evolution, it's a trend that hinders your child's cognitive and physical development.
Here are 5 ways to get your kids acting more like kids and provide a healthier childhood.
1. Limit Time on Media
One of the first things you should do to get your kid's working from a different set of possibilities is to cut back time wasted on electronic mediums, like video games and televisions. Teach your children to learn and love the lost art of reading for pleasure. Get them involved in arts, music, and sports. Get them to be more creative with their time.
Also, encourage them to reject and avoid much of pop culture as well. Teach your children to think for themselves and their lives will be less subject to the whims of the crowd.
2. Set Them Free
Sometimes we try too hard to protect our kids and feel we need to watch over them every single second. We see horror stories splashed across sensationalist news media programs, and many parents don't realize that even though our worst nightmares are more publicized now they actually happen less than they did in the past. Our fears are often unwarranted.
Do dangers exist?
Sure they do, but part of your child becoming human is learning how to deal with the risks involved with living. Teach them the same rules your parents taught you about dealing with strangers and other risks, and then let them out of the house from time to time. The small chance of something happening is not worth hiding your child in a bedroom for the rest of their life.
3. Set Play Dates
While I find it a bit sad that it has become a necessary part of the American parent's life, sometimes we have to accept our rigid schedules and actually set dates and times for playing