Автор: The Findmykids Editorial Team

Время на прочтение: 3 минут(ы)

Numerous studies have shown that gadgets can have a negative effect on our kids’ health and well-being. Researchers have looked at the relationship between time spent on gadgets and physical and mental well-being:

• Kids who used their devices for more than an hour experienced fatigue, poor concentration, and distractibility.
• Those who spent over 4 hours a day on their devices were more likely to suffer from depression, severe mood swings, and other emotional issues. Close to 2/3s of children use their smartphones for 4+ hours daily.

However, when it comes to a kid’s “device addiction,” it’s not just about the time spent on devices. Emotional and social factors also play an important role.

Device addiction is the uncontrollable use of devices, which negatively affects both mental and physical health.

📲 Signs of Device Addiction

Here are some common signs that your kid may be struggling with device addiction:

• Good mood with smartphone, bad mood without: They are happy while using their device but experience withdrawal or irritability when it’s taken away.
• Lost sense of time: Your kid can’t monitor or control how long they spend on their devices, even when reminded.
• Ignoring rules: They frequently break time limits and don’t respond to your requests, often getting angry when you intervene.
• Spending money: Teens may spend money on games or online purchases, both real and virtual.
• Difficulty switching tasks: After using gadgets, they struggle to move on to other activities and lose interest in non-digital tasks.
• Irritability after use: They may become aggressive or irritated after spending time on their device.
• Lack of interest in real life: They show little interest in offline events like friends, school, or family matters.
• Physical effects include neck aches, headaches, and eye strain.

🤝 How to Help Your Kid Overcome Device Addiction

1. Open dialogue and expressing emotions

Remember that kids often turn to their devices as a way to escape from real-world worries. When you come home from work, avoid bombarding your kid with questions, especially ones they find stressful. Instead, lead by example—share your own feelings, particularly when you’re feeling down, and encourage open conversation. It may take time, but as you model this behavior, your kid will eventually start to share their thoughts too.

2. Find offline alternatives

Replace phone and computer time with exciting offline activities. Encourage your kid to spend time on hobbies or interests that will keep them engaged. This will naturally reduce the hours spent on screens.

3. Set time limits

Experts agree that completely banning devices is unrealistic, but limiting screen time is essential. Work with your kid to agree on reasonable time limits rather than simply imposing them.

Tools like the Phone Usage section and the Block Apps feature in the Findmykids app can help track and enforce these limits.

4. No multitasking with gadgets

Meals, chores, and studying should be separate from screen time. Set an example by following this rule yourself, and come to an agreement with your kid to do the same.

5. Be a role model

How much time do you spend with a screen? Parents often say things like, “I’m working on something important” or “I’m studying,” but this can come across as unfair to kids, who also feel like what they’re doing is important to them. If you expect your kid to limit screen time, you need to set the example. Once they see you doing it, they’ll be more likely to follow your lead.

References:

1. Association between smartphone usage and health outcomes of adolescents: A propensity analysis using the Korea youth risk behavior survey
2. Poulain T, Vogel M, Kliesener T, Kiess W. Associations between changes in behavioral difficulties and levels of problematic smartphone use in adolescents over a 1-year period. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 2021
3. Emotional and Behavioural Factors Predisposing to Internet Addiction: The Smartphone Distraction among Italian High School Students
4. Smartphone use and addiction during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: cohort study on 184 Italian children and adolescents

Время на прочтение: 2 минут(ы)

Tired of your child being constantly glued to a screen? Here are some unique ideas that will not only make your time together fun but also educational and meaningful.

⏮️ Flashback to the Past

Give your child a challenge: spend an entire day without gadgets. Create a family “old school day”: cook meals from old recipes, play games that were popular in your childhood, or host a board game night. You could also have a “tech-free” evening discussing old movies, cartoons, and books that your child might not know yet.

🎲 Role Reversal

Here’s a fun game: the kids become the parents, and the parents become the kids! Let your child take the lead for the evening like deciding what’s for dinner, whether to go for a walk, or what to play. Just set one important rule: no gadgets allowed. It’s a great way for kids to understand responsibility while having fun!

🍳 Cooking Masterclass

Host a cooking masterclass with your child where they can learn to make something new and experiment with recipes. Let each family member make their own dish, or set a fun challenge to prepare dinner in under 30 minutes. It’s a delicious way to bond while learning something new together.

🔎 Neighborhood Adventure: A Local Scavenger Hunt

Turn an ordinary walk around your neighborhood into an exciting adventure. Create a scavenger hunt with clues, hidden spots, and secret treasures. Add elements of local history or fun facts about your town that your child might not know. It’s a great way to explore your surroundings in an exciting way!

✨ A Guide to the Stars

Instead of staring at screens, trying looking up at the sky! Have an astronomy night, learn to identify constellations, and discuss the myths associated with them. Even if you don’t have a telescope, you can use a stargazing app to guide you through the stars. Just make sure you’re the one controlling the device. It’s a magical way to explore the universe together!

Cover image: Studio Romantic/Shutterstock

Время на прочтение: 2 минут(ы)

Tired of seeing your little one glued to a screen? You’re not alone! But here’s the good news—you don’t need to fight over screen time. Instead, let’s make the real world just as exciting!

Here are some creative activities that will not just keep your child engaged, but also help them learn and grow.

📚 Mysteries and Myths of Ancient Civilizations

Take a journey through history and culture! Choose an ancient civilization like Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, or India and spend the evening exploring its myths, legends, and mysteries. You can even create a fun quiz or put on a mini-play based on one of the myths, with each family member playing a different role. This not only brings you closer together, but also expands your child’s knowledge and imagination!

✨ A Guide to the Stars

Instead of looking at screens, try looking up at the night sky! Have an astronomy night and learn to recognize constellations while talking about the myths behind them. Even if you don’t have a telescope, you can use a stargazing app (just make sure you’re in charge of the device) to guide you through the stars. It’s a magical way to spark curiosity about the universe!

🔎 Neighborhood Adventure: A Local Scavenger Hunt

Turn a regular walk around your neighborhood into an exciting quest! Create a scavenger hunt with clues, hidden spots, and little challenges to solve. Add in fun facts or historical tidbits about your town or area to make it even more interesting. Your child will see familiar places in a whole new way!

🗣 The Sound Experiment

Discover the fascinating world of sound! Gather random household objects like pots, spoons, jars, bottles and create a “musical performance” using these unconventional instruments. Take it outside and listen to the sounds of nature like rustling leaves, the wind, and raindrops. It’s a great way to boost sensory awareness and creativity!

🎭 Shadow Play

On a cloudy day or in the evening, try setting up a shadow theater. All you need is a light source and some hand or object silhouettes to cast shadows on a wall. Create a short story and act it out using only light and shadow. It’s a simple yet magical way to bring storytelling to life!

🎲 Role Reversal

Try this fun game: let your child be the parent for the evening while you take on the role of the kid! Have them make decisions for the family like what’s for dinner, whether to go for a walk or play a board game, and so on. Just set one important rule: no gadgets allowed. This playful experiment helps kids understand responsibility while making family time extra fun!

Время на прочтение: 2 минут(ы)

Your child comes home from school without their scarf. Last week, it was their pencil case, and before that, a jacket. When you ask, «Where did you leave it?» they shrug with a guilty look. Sound familiar? Losing things might seem like a never-ending problem, but it’s actually pretty common and also fixable.

Let’s dive into why kids lose things and how you can help them become more organized.

🤯 Why Kids Lose Things

1. Their memory is still developing.
   For kids under 9, losing things is normal. Their brains are still maturing, and their short-term memory isn’t fully developed yet. They may genuinely forget where they left their lunchbox or mittens.
2. They get distracted easily.
   Young kids are naturally curious. They’re often so focused on their surroundings or daydreaming that they lose track of their belongings.
3. They’re in a rush.
   Mornings can feel chaotic. If your child is hurrying to pack their bag or get ready for school, there’s a good chance something gets left behind.
4. They’re overwhelmed.
   School, homework, activities, and chores can overload a child’s brain. When their mind is juggling too much, remembering little things like a water bottle can fall through the cracks.

🤗 How to Help

1. Label their belongings.
   Put their name on everything like jackets, water bottles, backpacks. If something goes missing, it’s much easier to track down in the school’s lost and found.
2. Create a morning checklist.
   Walk through what they need for the day. Say: «You need your lunchbox, your notebook, and your scarf.» This builds a habit of checking before they leave.
3. Unpack together after school.
   When they get home, go through their backpack with them. Ask, «Do you have everything you brought this morning?» This encourages reflection and helps them notice what’s missing.
4. Limit the number of items they carry.
   If your child is forgetful, don’t overload them with unnecessary things. Fewer items mean fewer opportunities to lose something.
5. Stay calm about lost items.
   If they lose something, avoid yelling or punishing them. Instead, ask, «What can we do next time to make sure this doesn’t happen again?» Mistakes are a chance to learn.
6. Let them experience consequences.
   Don’t immediately replace lost items with brand-new ones. For example, if they lose their hat, let them use an old one for a while. This helps them understand the value of their belongings.

📝 Step-By-Step Plan For Busy Families

1. Simplify their routine.
   Make mornings less rushed by packing their bag the night before.
2. Use memory games and puzzles.
   These can help improve your child’s focus and recall skills in a fun way.
3. Talk about responsibility.
   Teach your child to take charge of their belongings by saying things like, «I’m trusting you to look after your gloves.»
4. Discuss losses calmly.
   When they lose something, ask questions like, «Where did you last see it?» This teaches problem-solving instead of just bringing on guilt.

Be Patient and Supportive

Your kids won’t become perfectly organized overnight. Losing things is part of growing up and learning responsibility. Your role is to guide and encourage them along the way. With patience, consistency, and some small changes, your child will learn to be more mindful of their belongings.

And remember: You’re doing a great job. Hang in there ‘cause you’ve got this!