Next week is Spring Break for many. It is tempting to allow children to spend more time in front of a screen.

Experts recommend that children shouldn’t be allowed more than two hours of screen time a day. That includes watching television, playing video games or using computers or hand-held devices such as tablets and smart phones. Too much screen time is linked to obesity, poor performance in school, and behavioral problems.

Spring Break is going to take some planning to keep your children busy and away from the screen. Develop a chart for each child and let them record their screen time. After a few days, decide if they are spending too much time “screening”. If so, plan alternatives such as:

• Active play with other children.
• Don’t let your children eat in front of the television and turn it off for meal time.
• Keep electronics in family areas of the home so they can be monitored.
• Take advantage of parental controls and familiarize yourself with ratings for movies and TV shows.

As the parent you should be in charge of what is being watched. Click here for a chart from the National Institutes of Health that may serve your children well. It will allow your children to be accountable for their screen time and you, as the parent can assist them to find safe and healthier alternatives. Click here for more information and tips from the National Institutes of Health.

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