EBN #9 Kids Today

Written by Crystal Walker

How many parents today can honestly say they monitor their child’s electronic media use? Many children today are way too busy on facebook to read a book, and to busy tweeting to hear an actual tweet. It is apparent that technology has taken away from the child’s outdoor play; but parents must regain that control. Sources from NewsUSA studies show kids spend an average of 7 hours per day using some type of electronic source, but only 4-7 min outside in unstructured outdoor playtime. Numerous of parents may believe they monitor their child’s usage when it comes to electronics, but at the same time you as a parent could easily be blinded. Children may not always listen to what the parents say, however they sure can mimic what they see. Are you on the computer versus reading? Are you reading and teaching your child versus the latest child’s learning technology source. Little era’s right here is where it begins to change your child’s habits. Begin to rebuild your child’s imagination through experience with life, not through computers. There are countless ways to manage the usage of your child’s media time and balance with something tempered and more down to earth. No one wants their child to become socially instable. Meaning, your child should become sociable with his/her peers and it is an excellent opportunity to explore and use gross motor skills to facilitate learning. Not always wanting your child to run straight to a game system in opposed to running around outside. Limiting your child’s media usage in exchange for something more rewarding will be of more reason to make this of a permanent routine. Playing outside will limit your child’s risk of obesity, and according to an article written by Susan Hayes, in Scholastics Parent and Child Magazine, “In the past 30 years, childhood obesity rates have tripled. Today nearly one in three children in the United States is overweight or obese.” All this comes from lack of attention to yours child’s actions. Taking small steps into changing your child’s way of operating when it comes to media usage can help keep your child’s mind from being taken over from using the day to day technology, period.