Turn Off the Screens

So you think your kids are in front of screens too much? 

They’re constantly asking for your iPhone or tablet, complaining they are bored and they only thing that will make them happy is a screen or device!

 You’ve come to the right place. This post is for the parents who want to keep their kids away from the screens, have options or new parents who want to raise screen free kids.

 This is no easy undertaking and for the kids who have been using tech most of their lives it will be challenging.

 Nothing as important as this will be easy however the rewards far out way the challenges and frustrations ahead.

 When my eldest son was six months old my wife and I vowed he would not see a screen until he was at least 2 years old. According to the Association of Pediatrics they recommend at least 2 years media free for children.  

Media and Children

This post is not about judging anyone and their parenting. So if you are uncomfortable with your child’s media consumption please read on and learn many ways to stimulate your children. 

This is about replacing media which is “entertainment” or can be soothing with engaging stimulation which will promote brain development, creativity and self-motivation.

 This is going to be a list of toys which we have used for years that will stimulate children who are beyond the choking phase. Some of these toys will be choking hazards some will not. These toys promote open ended play.

 “Open-ended play materials allow children to make choices, express their creativity and support their independence.”

Value of Open ended Play 

 Parents are not responsible for keeping their children occupied all the time. 

WHAT??!! Yes we're not here to cure every boring moment in their lives. 

So let go of that responsibility. Rather encourage your child or children to replace boredom with a toy that encourages hours of play.

 Here are some of the successful toys we used to keep our boys off media:

Amazon Affiliate Links

• Magnatiles -
  
  
  
• Wooden blocks
  
• Play Table 
  
  
  
  
  
• Wooden train sets
• Legos
• GeoTrax Trains - No longer made - Find on Facebook Market Place
    

   
• Bristle Blocks 
  
  
  
• Painting easel for painting, paint sticks, crayons or dry erase markers -
• EASEL,  PAINT STICKS-
  
  
  
• Lincoln Logs 
  
• Puzzles
• Board games
• Dominos
• DIY Sensory tables – sand and water
  
  
  
• Clay or Playdough
  
• Slot cars 
  
• 
  
  
• Rush Hour Logic Puzzle
  
• Game called SET 
  
• Trucky 3 Smart Games
  
  Book, Books and more BOOKS! 
• Get Out of the HOUSE! Adventures. Adventures. Adventures.
  
  
  
  

All of these toys and games will inspire and stimulate your children.

Also will encourage them to become creators rather than consumers.

Read this book if you want to understand the value of wooden block play   

I Learn From Children, by Caroline Pratt

 Let them really own these toys which means give them the freedom to mark them up; don't worry about keeping them pristine.  

When your children or child are not soothing themselves with video or media they will have to learn to resolve conflict as well as address and solve their own boredom.  

You're Bored? 

Congratulations!

Now What Are You Going To Do About It?