Screen Time

Fun Without Technology

Mobile devices and social media have become a prevalent part of our lives. As Mum plays on her tablet and while Dad has an online meeting on his phone, children today spend longer periods of time on their mobile devices and social media as a way of “copying their parents’ actions” (Popenoe, 1998). As the attachment to technology increases, detachment from other family members might increase.

 

Building a strong parent-child relationship is important as the family serves as the “anchor in [their] lives… that keeps [them] rooted and gives meaning to [their] existence” (Ministry of Social and Family Development, 2013). Making an effort to spend quality time together, with minimal interferences from your mobile devices and social media, is important in fostering a good relationship while they are young.

 

Here are some suggested IT-free family activities that you and your family can enjoy together.

1. Go on family excursions

Excursions are not limited to field trips the schools take your children on. In fact, it was pointed out that “learning in the family… is just as important as learning in the classroom” (Primary Times, 2010; FutureLab, 2009). Learning together gives the family a common topic to discuss and explore, encouraging communication. There are many educational and exciting places such as the museums, cultural sites, or even the parks that you and your family can visit for free. Bring your children outdoors; enjoy sports, nature and the arts!

 

2. Take up parent-child classes
   

   Image Source: https://www.parents.com/fun/activities/rainy-day/indoor-activities-yoga-and-a-twist-on-parent-child-bonding/

Instead of only registering your children for extra classes, why not register as a family? Parent-child classes offer everyone the opportunity to give full attention to the tasks at hand, with little room for distractions from technology. It also maximises the amount of social interaction between parents and their children, and gives the family more reason to get together for after-class projects at home. Children can further develop their personal interests and spend more time away from IT.

 

3. Take up a sport together

Exercising as a family is also a great way to bond because it “promotes interaction in a focused manner as there is little distraction from other activities [like technology] during the workout” (Ling, 2010). While you and your “family members help each other out in team sports,” it also provides an environment for kinship to foster (Ling, 2010). Bring your kids out and teach them a sport, be it badminton, swimming or cycling. You can also consider ice-skating or frisbee.

 

4. Do household chores together

If getting out of the house is not the most ideal option, getting the children to help around the house is something that will take their attention away from the technological gadgets. Household chores may not sound like the most exciting activity for anyone, but it can, in fact, be made fun for the family. Rather than having chores as a punishment, chores is a way for children to receive small forms of rewards. Putting a positive twist on chores by making it a friendly family competition (e.g. cleanest room) or having them play pretend with you (e.g. pretending to be your kitchen assistant) are also good ways of keeping the children engaged in the tasks and away from the IT gadgets.

These are only some of the many activities that you and your children can do together. Step away from technology and enjoy time with your family!