Photo by Vlada Karpovich

Are you thinking about alternatives to screen time to keep your kids engaged this summer?

With the summer holidays approaching, many parents face the challenge of keeping their children entertained while limiting their screen time.

In today’s digital age, screens are ubiquitous, found on televisions, computers, tablets, and smartphones.

While these devices can be educational and entertaining, excessive screen time can hurt children’s development.

So, how can you, as parents, strike a balance and provide engaging activities for your kids? Here are 10 engaging alternatives to screen time for your kids this summer.

These alternatives to screen time are a sure way to keep your children happy, healthy and engaged.

What is Screen Time?

Screen time refers to the amount of time spent using devices with screens, such as televisions, computers, tablets, and smartphones.

This includes activities like watching videos, playing video games, browsing the internet, and using social media.

While moderate use of these devices can be beneficial, excessive screen time can lead to various health and developmental issues in children.

Effect of Screen Time on Children’s Development

Excessive screen time can have several negative impacts on children’s development:

1. Physical Health: Spending too much time in front of screens can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, contributing to obesity and related health issues. It can also cause eye strain and disrupt sleep patterns due to exposure to blue light.
2. Cognitive Development: Prolonged screen time can affect a child’s attention span and cognitive skills. It may limit opportunities for imaginative play and problem-solving activities, which are crucial for cognitive development.
3. Social Skills: Excessive use of screens can reduce face-to-face interactions, hindering the development of social skills. Children might miss out on learning important communication skills and building relationships with peers.
4. Emotional Well-being: High screen time can be associated with increased risks of anxiety and depression in children. It can also lead to issues with self-esteem, especially with the pervasive use of social media.

What are Some Alternatives to Screen Time?

Here are some fun and productive activities to help reduce screen time for kids:

1. Outdoor Play: Encourage children to play outside. Activities like biking, hiking, playing sports, or simply running around in the park are excellent ways to keep them physically active and engaged.
2. Creative Arts and Crafts: Stimulate your child’s creativity with arts and crafts. Provide materials like crayons, paints, glue, and recycled items to make fun projects. Crafting can enhance fine motor skills and encourage imaginative thinking.
3. Reading and Storytelling: Develop a love for reading by providing a variety of books suited to your child’s age and interests. Storytelling can also be a wonderful way to stimulate their imagination and improve language skills.
4. Board Games and Puzzles: Family board games and puzzles can be both entertaining and educational. They help develop strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and patience.
5. Educational Activities: Engage your children in educational activities like science experiments, cooking, or gardening. These activities can teach valuable life skills and ignite a passion for learning.
6. Music and Dance: Encourage your kids to learn a musical instrument or participate in dance. These activities are not only enjoyable but also enhance cognitive development and physical coordination.
7. DIY Projects: Involve your kids in DIY projects like building a birdhouse, creating a small garden, or making simple home decor items. These activities foster creativity and practical skills.
8. Interactive Playdates: Arrange playdates with your children’s friends. Interactive play helps develop social skills and can be a fun way for children to spend their time.
9. Mindfulness and Relaxation: Introduce mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation. These can help children manage stress and improve their focus and emotional well-being.
10. Volunteering: If your children are older, encourage them to volunteer in community activities. Volunteering teaches empathy, responsibility, and the importance of giving back.

Conclusion

Limiting screen time and providing your children with a variety of engaging alternatives is essential for their overall development and well-being.

By incorporating activities that promote physical health, cognitive skills, social interaction, and creativity, you can ensure your children have a fulfilling and balanced summer.

Remember, the goal is not to eliminate screen time completely but to create a healthy balance that allows your children to thrive in all aspects of their lives.

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What is Positive Parenting?

Positive parenting is parental practices that benefit the full development of children through non-violence, care, recognition, guidance and the establishment of limits (Consejo de Europa, 2006 in Pastor et al. 2015).

In this article, you’ll find the information you need to learn more about positive parenting and gain the confidence to start putting these practices to work.

Parenting Then and Now

For a long time, it was said that parenting was a job without a manual and that once you become a parent, you could just “wing it”.

However, often, “winging it” meant that we borrowed from our own experiences with our parents, or followed instructions from the elders in the family, churches or communities.

While these practices can be intuitive and helpful at times, they may not be in the best interest of our children.

Nowadays, we have a better understanding of child development and what might benefit our children thanks to research, changes in attitudes and laws that protect them from harm.

Researchers studying parental styles have found that some parental practices have been shown to be more effective than others.

For example, parental practices that include warmth, responsiveness and setting boundaries for children are often associated with better child development outcomes (D. Baumrind, 1991).

These are the parental practices that are the foundations of positively parenting children.

What are the Characteristics of Positive Parenting?

Positive parental practices can often be mistaken for permissive parenting. That is, the type of parenting without boundaries and is often characterised by neglect.

Instead, parenting positively involves recognising your children as individuals with their own thoughts and feelings, providing them with love, kindness and compassion, and communicating the rules, expectations and consequences of misbehaviour (UNICEF).

Positive parenting approaches are especially helpful during toddler meltdowns. Learn how to apply them in this guide on managing 3-year-old temper tantrums. It also extends to how we share our children’s lives online. See our guide on sharenting and online boundaries.

When you approach parenting in this way, you can build a mutually respectful relationship with your children, which will increase their confidence and give them important life skills to successfully go through this world (UNICEF).

This is why positive parental practices have been shown to have better outcomes for children.

Here are a few more of its characteristics:

1. Works with children’s strengths instead of picking at their weaknesses
2. Understands children’s developmental needs and responds appropriately
3. Recognises, rewards and reinforces positive behaviours
4. Shows empathy
5. Recognises the child as an individual with rights
6. Builds trust, communication and respect in the parent-child relationship
7. Practices non-violence in the parent-child relationship

Resource

You can also download all our free posters, like the one below, on positive parenting from our free printables page.

Sources:

(2021). Retrieved from nct.org.uk: https://www.nct.org.uk/life-parent/parenting-styles-and-approaches/what-positive-parenting-and-how-it-done

Baumrind D. The influence of parenting style on adolescent competence and substance abuse. Journal of Early Adolescence. 1991;11:56–95. doi: 10.1177/0272431691111004.

NSPCC. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/media/1195/positive-parenting.pdf

Pastor, C., Ciurana, A., Navajas, A., Cojocaru, D., & Vazquez, N. (2015). Positive Parenting: Lessons from Research. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/288829235_Positive_Parenting_Lessons_from_Research

UNICEF, Introduction to Positive Parenting

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Now that the Olympic Games are over, we are reminded of the incredible power of sports. We watched as elite athletes from around the globe achieved remarkable feats. Now, it’s essential to recognize the benefits of competitive sports and its significant role in a child’s development.

Beyond the medals and records, sports offer numerous physical, mental, and social benefits that contribute to a child’s overall growth.

This article will explore how participating in competitive sports can positively impact children, using examples from the Olympics to illustrate these points.

Physical Benefits of Competitive Sports

1. Improved Physical Health

• Participating in competitive sports helps children develop stronger muscles, improved cardiovascular health, and enhanced coordination. Regular physical activity through sports like swimming, gymnastics, and track and field can lead to a healthier lifestyle that continues into adulthood.
• Example: Jamaican Olympic swimmer, Alia Atkinson, exemplifies the peak physical conditioning needed to achieve this competitive edge through years of training. Young swimmers can develop core strength, lung capacity, and overall endurance by following similar routines.

2. Motor Skill Development

• Engaging in sports from an early age helps children refine their motor skills, such as balance, agility, and hand-eye coordination. As one of the benefits of competitive sports, motor skills are crucial for daily activities and can be improved through sports like basketball, soccer, tennis and gymnastics.
• Example: The precision and coordination required by Olympic gymnasts and GOAT, Simone Biles, show the importance of developing fine motor skills through rigorous training and competition.

3. Healthy Weight Management

• Regular participation in sports helps children maintain a healthy weight by balancing calorie intake with physical activity. This is particularly important in preventing childhood obesity, a growing concern worldwide.
• Example: Track and field events at the Olympics, like sprinting and long-distance running, highlight how regular athletic participation helps athletes maintain optimal body composition.

Mental Benefits of Competitive Sports

1. Enhanced Cognitive Function

• Competitive sports require quick decision-making, strategic thinking, and concentration, all of which contribute to improved cognitive function in children. These skills can translate into better academic performance and problem-solving abilities.
• Example: Sports like fencing and basketball, as seen in the Olympics, demand sharp mental focus and quick reflexes, which can enhance cognitive development in young athletes.

2. Building Resilience and Mental Flexibility

• Competing in sports teaches children how to handle pressure, deal with failure, and persevere through challenges. These experiences build resilience and mental flexibility, which are valuable life skills.
• Example: The journey of athletes like Brazilian Olympic gymnast, Rebeca Andrade who overcame multiple injuries to win gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She displayed enormous resilience, grace and fortitude during the games.

3. Stress Relief and Emotional Well-Being

• Physical activity is known to reduce stress and anxiety by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural mood elevators. Competitive sports provide an outlet for children to release energy, reduce stress, and boost their overall mood.
• Example: Olympic athletes often speak about how sports have helped them cope with stress and maintain mental health, serving as a positive outlet during their youth.

Social Benefits of Competitive Sports

1. Teamwork and Cooperation

• Team sports teach children the value of teamwork, communication, and cooperation. These social skills are benefits of competitive sports and are essential for success on and off the field.
• Example: The dynamics within an Olympic relay team, where athletes must work together seamlessly to succeed, exemplify the importance of teamwork in achieving common goals.

2. Developing Leadership Skills

• Sports offer opportunities for children to take on leadership roles, such as team captaincy, which helps them develop decision-making, responsibility, and the ability to inspire others.
• Example: Athletes like four-time Olympian, LeBron James, who leads both on and off the court, demonstrate the leadership qualities nurtured through competitive sports.

3. Building Friendships and Social Networks

• Competitive sports provide a platform for children to build lasting friendships and expand their social networks. These relationships often extend beyond the sports arena, contributing to a well-rounded social life.
• Example: The camaraderie among athletes in the Olympic Village is a testament to the strong bonds formed through shared experiences in competitive sports.

Conclusion

As the Olympic Games have shown, competitive sports are not just about winning medals but about the countless benefits that contribute to personal growth and development. From improving physical health to fostering mental flexibility and building essential social skills, the impact of sports on a child’s development is profound.

The benefits of competitive sports are clear. Encouraging children to participate in competitive sports can set them on a path to a healthier, more resilient, and socially connected life. Whether your child dreams of becoming an Olympian or simply enjoys the thrill of competition, the benefits of sports are immeasurable.

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There are many benefits of paternity leave for new dads and their families. However, data after data shows that some men aren’t taking their entitled paternity leave.

Data from the UK show that only a third (32 per cent) of eligible fathers took paternity leave in 2022.

Considering the many benefits of paternity leave, fathers opting to skip it could be missing out on meaningful opportunities for bonding with their children, fostering greater marriages and improving family dynamics.

This article explores the various benefits of paternity leave and why new fathers should consider taking it.

How Much Paternity Leave Are Fathers Entitled to Around the World?

Paternity leave policies vary significantly across countries. For instance, in Japan, fathers are entitled to up to 120 days of paid leave, and in Jamaica, paid paternity leave is 20 days for all public sector workers. However, in the United States, paternity leave is often unpaid and depends on the employer’s policy.

Understanding your rights and the cultural context of paternity leave can help you make informed decisions about taking time off.

The Top Benefits of Paternity Leave

1. Long-term Positive Impact on Children

Children benefit immensely when their fathers are actively involved from an early age. Research shows that children with engaged fathers perform better in cognitive and social development. Paternity leave provides the perfect opportunity for dads to lay a strong foundation for their child’s future.

2. Time to Bond with Your Child

Paternity leave is a critical period for dads to bond with their newborns. This time allows first-time fathers to get comfortable caring for their babies, giving both parents the chance to adjust to the new family dynamic. During this period, moms can rest and recover from childbirth, while dads learn more about their baby’s needs and personalities.

3. Demonstrate Support for Your Partner

Taking paternity leave strongly conveys that you are committed to sharing parenting responsibilities. It’s a chance for men to show their partners that they are equally invested in the welfare of their children. This support helps to balance the workload and fosters a more cooperative relationship between partners.

4. Foster a Happier Marriage

Couples who share parenting duties tend to have stronger, happier marriages. When both parents feel equally responsible and involved, it builds trust and reduces stress. Paternity leave helps create a balanced dynamic, which is essential for long-term marital satisfaction.

5. Strengthen Family Bonds

Spending quality time with your baby and partner can enhance your relationship with the entire family. This period allows for deeper connections and better understanding among family members. Failing to take advantage of paternity leave can lead to missed opportunities for these precious bonding moments. 

6. Health Benefits for Fathers

Paternity leave can also have significant health benefits for fathers. It offers a break from work stress, promotes mental well-being, and encourages a healthier lifestyle. Fathers who take paternity leave are often more active and can focus on maintaining a balanced diet. These factors contribute to a lower risk of heart disease and improved overall health.

7. Create a Happier Family Life

Paid paternity leave can contribute to a healthier and happier family life. It allows fathers to be present during the crucial early stages of a child’s development, strengthening the father-child bond and supporting the partner. This time together fosters a secure and nurturing environment for the entire family.

Conclusion

Paternity leave offers a multitude of benefits, from bonding with your newborn to enhancing family dynamics and improving personal health. As societal attitudes continue to evolve, more fathers are recognizing the importance of taking time off to support their families. If you’re considering fatherhood or are already a dad, make sure to understand the paternity leave benefits available in your country and take full advantage of them.

The post 7 Essential Benefits of Paternity Leave for New Dads and Families appeared first on Childhood Central.

The benefits of positive parenting are enormous for child development.

Positive parenting is parental practices that are directed to the full development of children through non-violence, care, recognition, guidance and the establishment of limits (Consejo de Europa, 2006 in Pastor et al., 2015).

Research has consistently shown that positive parenting benefits children both in childhood and adulthood because in positive parenting, children are recognised and their rights are respected.

Parental practices that are characterised by warmth and responsiveness towards children, high expectations, rules and boundary setting, and effective discipline have been shown to improve outcomes for children.

Typically, this parenting style is authoritative parenting and it has been effective in better outcomes for children.

Benefits of Positive Parenting

As researchers continue to associate the links between positive parenting and better outcomes for children, here are some benefits of positive parenting.

1. Decreases children’s externalising behaviours

Positive parenting interventions have been shown to decrease children’s externalising behaviour.

For example, in one study, parents reported a decrease in children’s problem-externalising behaviours after a web-based positive parenting training (Jones, et al., 2014).

Child externalising behaviours are behavioural problems in which the child acts out negatively on his or her environment. 

Additionally, child externalising behaviours are major risk factors for antisocial behaviours, violence and crime in adulthood (Liu, 2004). Consequently, it is in everyone’s interest to improve parent-child relations through effective parenting.

2. Provides emotional safety for children

Parental practices that provide an environment where children’s needs are consistently met with care, communication, and respect facilitate the development of strong parent-child relationships.

As a result, strong parent-child relationships nurture secure attachment for children. Effectively, children develop trust in their parents so that they can consistently rely on them for physical and emotional safety  (Johnson, 2020).

3. Teaches children accountability and responsibility

Parental practices that manage or regulate child behaviour, either through enforcing demands and rules, with effective disciplinary strategies, an appropriate amount of which, has been shown to positively affect children’s development (Kuppens & Ceulemans, 2019).

As an example, research shows that home environments with firm and responsive parents who show mutual respect for their children produce more successful adults (Zhong, et al., 2016).

4. Fosters children’s self-confidence

Similarly, responsive parenting fosters children’s positive self-belief, esteem and confidence.

5. Positively impacts children’s development

The risks of children’s social, behavioural and developmental delay are significantly reduced when parents engage in positive parenting.

A research study found that children whose parents participated in reading to them or storytelling 1-3 per week were at significantly lower risk of developmental delays than children whose parents did not read to them (Cprek, Williams, Asaolu, Alexander, & Vanderpool, 2015).

6. Protects children’s mental health and wellbeing

Finally, positive family environments protect children even in the face of childhood adversity and are associated with adult resilience.

A study also showed that positive parenting impacts mental health and improved coping in later life (Zhong, et al., 2016).

Resource

Sources

Cprek, S. E., Williams, C. M., Asaolu, I., Alexander, L. A., & Vanderpool, R. C. (2015). Three Positive Parenting Practices and Their Correlation with Risk of Childhood Developmental, Social, or Behavioral Delays: An Analysis of the National Survey of Children’s Health. Matern Child Health J., 19(11), 2403–2411. doi:10.1007/s10995-015-1759-1.

Johnson, B. (2020). Importance of Positive Parenting During the Pandemic. 7(3), 46-49.

Jones, S., Calam, R., Sanders, M., Diggle, P. J., Dempsey, R., & Sadhnani, V. (2014). A PilotWeb Based Positive Parenting Intervention to Help Bipolar Parents to Improve Perceived Parenting Skills and Child Outcomes. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy(42), 283–296. doi:10.1017/S135246581300009X

Kuppens, S., & Ceulemans, E. (2019). Parenting Styles: A Closer Look at a Well-Known Concept. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 28(1), 168-181. doi: 10.1007/s10826-018-1242-x

Liu, J. (2004). Childhood Externalizing Behavior: Theory and Implications. 17(3), 93-103. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1617081/

Zhong, X., Wu, D., Nie, X., Xia, J., Li, M., Lei, F., . . . Mahendran, R. (2016). Parenting style, resilience, and mental health of community-dwelling elderly adults in China. BMC Geriatrics, 16(135). doi:10.1186/s12877-016-0308-0

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