How often have you gone out to a restaurant with your family, only to notice that nearly all the children surrounding you have their heads buried in an electronic tablet? Somewhere along the line, many of today’s parents became complacent with electronics at the dinner table and during family time. Maybe it’s because today’s parents are so busy that they welcome anything that gives them a brief break, or maybe it’s because they’ve simply tired of fighting about the use of electronics. But the fact is, we’ve become an increasingly mobile and electronics-obsessed society, and it’s the kids who are paying the price.
Embrace Creativity, Both Indoors and Out
Today’s youths could get more physical activity and improve their overall health and wellness if they did one very simple thing – unplug. They may not do it on their own, though, and that’s where parents come into play. Next time you see your child reach for the remote, kindly direct them toward a book or musical instrument instead. Rather than play video games during their next play date, encourage them to go outside, build a fort, or otherwise use their imaginations.
Your children have the rest of their lives to sit in front of a computer, but the carefree days of childhood are all too fleeting. The infographic below details the many ways in which encouraging creative play enriches our child’s minds and lives.