HOW TO WEAN TODDLERS/PRESCHOOLERS OFF SCREEN TIME.

The amount of time spent on a phone,tablet,television and laptop for entertainment is called screen time.

As a Montessori parent with only one child,the issue of a child getting used to SCREEN time might not occur but when a parent has a baby and a toddler or/and a preschooler,it might be a difficult scenario with the world we live in now.

Also,as a working parent,preparing children for school,taking them to school,during mealtimes,doing chores around the house,just so you can have a bit of rest or " me" time,consciously and sometimes unconsciously,screen time becomes the succour to turn to.

We are surrounded by screens at any rate which makes it difficult to avoid or cut out.
There are electronics in the form of phones,tablets,laptops,tabletops and televisions. There are even portable televisions in cars.

How do we then wean the toddlers and preschoolers off screen time?

Have a discussion about the screen time.Don't just stop them from watching especially their favourite ones.Tell them your reasons, let them contribute and have an agreement about screen time moving forward.Respect the children by respecting their contributions.

Model screen time/electronics use : You are your children's first model,do exactly what you want them to do,they see you.

Cut down on your screen time too.You can't be pressing your phone always,have your laptop and tablet on and tell them to go read their books.If it's for your work,there must be an explanation and a specific place and time that you do work.

Create time to unplug from electronics.

This weaning off screen time has to be teamwork. Adults around must be in on it and adhere to it : nannies,afterschool,relatives,grandparents must not allow screen time or must stick with the laid down time when you are not around.

Use parental controls on the gadgets : this is a great idea but we all know this generation are "brilliant" . It works if they don't decode the parental control soon enough or you keep changing it which might be cumbersome and uncomfortable having to memorise passwords and so on.

Encourage other activities by creating and keeping aside age-appropriate play bags with colouring,physical games,toys,crayons,building blocks,books,pretend play things and so on where they can reach it easily.Let them use their imagination and creativity.

Create and follow and stay true to a routine.

Let children dress themselves up,instead of you doing it and needing SCREEN TIME to distract them.

Do chores together around the house.

Also let children do chores around the house.

Plan ahead.

Put in when they can have screen time and follow through.

Create family time.

Keep calm.

Weaning children off screen time won't happen overnight. 
It takes patience and resolve,time,ups and downs, teamwork,and lots of self encouragement.

Remember, just like potty-training,and weaning from breastfeeding. It's never easy but must be done because you want and know that it's the best thing to do.

© Adebimpe Seriki.
 October,2021.