{"id":13661,"date":"2022-06-07T09:22:37","date_gmt":"2022-06-07T07:22:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/responsive.jozikids.co.za\/zaparents\/?p=13661"},"modified":"2022-08-10T22:25:18","modified_gmt":"2022-08-10T20:25:18","slug":"earn-screen-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/lifestyle\/social-media\/earn-screen-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Fun and easy ways to let your kids earn screen time!"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019ve never been a fan of kids spending hours and hours in front of screens. When I grew up we didn\u2019t have computers, and we were limited to one TV program a week. I resented this at the time, but looking back on my childhood I have memories of riding my bike round the neighbourhood, playing makeshift games of softball in the back yard, climbing trees, making mud pies, dressing up, designing doll\u2019s clothes, and doing a multitude of other creative activities, all replaced by screen time now.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our days were full and spent almost entirely outdoors, and most of all fun. Of the TV programs that I did watch I have a few scant memories that don\u2019t amount to much.<\/span><\/p>\n

How TV and screen time becomes a part of the family<\/h3>\n

We don\u2019t have a TV at home now, although we do download movies and select TV shows for ourselves and the kids. When they were very little our children had some time with us on our computers playing learning games, and we didn\u2019t own an iPad until they were quite a bit older.<\/p>\n

However, over the years it has become easier and easier to slip into bad habits and lose track of how much time they are actually spending in front of a screen. One hour became two, and on the weekend sometimes became four. It is convenient for us as adults to know that the kids are busy and entertained while we catch up on some work, tend to the garden, make the dinner and do the hundred other things on our to do lists. It is easier to hand them an iPad than to encourage them to come up with something else to do.<\/p>\n

Too much screen time: when little darlings become little monsters!<\/h3>\n

What I noticed, though, was that after a couple of hours of screen time on an iPad or playing Mine Craft on their computers, my little darlings turned into little monsters. When they emerged from behind whatever electronic device they had disappeared behind, it was like they were coming down from drugs. They would fight each other, fight us, become rude and uncooperative, and sometimes even throw proper tantrums. It was not ok. Something had to be done.<\/p>\n

The digital age: Cant’ do without screen time, but can definitely limit it!<\/h3>\n

I genuinely considered removing all technology from our home and just dealing with the onslaught of anger and resentment that would surely follow. The thing is, I\u2019m actually not against technology in general and I\u2019m even quite impressed by games like Mine Craft and the kind of skills that kids are learning while they play. And then, of course, there\u2019s the thing of this being our children\u2019s future. Whether we like it or not, they are part of the digital age and they are going to need to navigate these worlds in order to progress.<\/p>\n

Letting the kids earn screen time<\/h3>\n

So what I decided was to simultaneously encourage them to engage in other activities and limit their screen time in a way where they could still be in control of how they were spending their time outside of technology. I created a points system. 100 points = 1 hour of screen time.<\/p>\n

I specifically made it easy enough that with a little effort, they can earn 100 points in a day. I was also careful to include many things on the list that they actually enjoy doing and that will help them to advance their own values and interests (they can get points for drawing, playing the piano, reading a book, doing a creative project or science experiment). I did, of course, add a few things that I would like too (making their beds, helping with cooking and gardening, tidying their rooms)!<\/p>\n

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\"earn<\/p>\n

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They don\u2019t have to do everything on the list. In fact, there\u2019s nothing that they have to do. Every item is optional. If they choose to earn all their 100 points by drawing pictures, that is fine. If they\u2019d rather do a variety of things, that\u2019s also ok. My intention is to keep it fun and light so that they can see that they can enjoy\u00a0life outside of a computer: Real life also has something to offer.<\/p>\n

The result was remarkable. I explained to them why I was implementing the new system and they could see themselves that they were irritable and grumpy after a day online, so they were open to the idea from the start. Within a day they were up to all sorts of things around the house, they had rekindled their relationship with each other (which had become somewhat rocky), they were cheerful and engaged in life and such a pleasure to be around. We also started connecting more as a family \u2013 playing board games, going for walks, planning family outings, chatting around the dinner table. Both children became avid readers overnight.<\/p>\n

It has been about 3 weeks now and our entire household is transformed. And, they\u2019re still getting to play on their computers at least every second day, or even every day if they feel motivated to do so. But it isn\u2019t the be all and end all of everything. The Lego has come out of its dusty spot in the corner, our home is filled with artworks again, there is quite literally music and singing filling the air.<\/p>\n

Screen time is earned and enjoyed, but it\u2019s no longer the focus of their every moment. Memories are being made. Connections are being nurtured. We are all happier and more fulfilled. Life is good \u2013 both online and off!<\/p>\n

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