Limiting screen time and getting kids moving
Setting screen time limits with kids can be a challenge, especially as we approach the summer months when kids are out of their daily routine. To help keep your kids on the move, AboutKidsHealth is sharing some tips to help limit screen time.
How much screen time does my child need?
The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) and the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) recommend the following daily screen time limits:
- Children aged two and under: no screen time.
- Children aged two to four: less than one hour a day of screen time.
- Children and teens aged five to 17: maximum of two hours a day of recreational screen time.
Setting screen time limits and rules
To help your child bring down their screen time, start decreasing in small steps until it reaches the recommended limits for your child’s age group. If your child has a lot more than two hours of screen time a day, for example, try decreasing it by 15 minutes a day for a week at a time and progress slowly towards meeting the recommended times for their age.
- Set 'screen-free' zones in the house – these should include mealtimes and bedrooms.
- Set limits on time spent playing "active" video games. They are advertised as a good way to be active, but children and teens quickly learn how to play using minimal gestures (for example using wrist movement only). This greatly reduces the amount they need to move.
- Be aware of your own screen time and model healthy habits for your child.
Encourage healthy movement
June is Bike Month so it’s a great time to get your family moving and away from screens! Before setting out on a bike ride with your family, make sure your children have properly fitted helmets. Take a look at this article from AboutKidsHealth on helmet safety. It includes tips on how to properly fit a helmet and how to help your child wear one, including setting a good example by wearing a helmet yourself and talking to your child about why it’s important to protect their head.
If riding a bike isn’t the right activity for you and your family, there are plenty of other ways to encourage healthy movement with your kids this summer. You could go for a walk, play a sport such as soccer or basketball or go for a swim.
Here are some tips to encourage your child to be more active:
- Make it a habit: Make movement a part of your child’s routine.
- Be a healthy role model: Just like modelling healthy screen time habits, you can also show your child that movement is important by adding it into your own routine.
- Choose an activity your child enjoys: If your child likes the activity they’re doing, they will be more likely to make it a habit. You may have to try a few different activities with your child before you find something that works for them.
AboutKidsHealth is SickKids’ health-education website and features more than 3,500 articles on a range of health topics. For more information on screen time limits, encouraging physical activity and other health topics, visit www.aboutkidshealth.ca.
