How shouldone separatethe mobile phone and tablet from the child?
Today, technology has become part of our lives and can sometimes hinder our activities. Children model their behavior after us, and unfortunately, the use of screens like mobile phones, tablets, and computers can hinder their development. Although it seems harmless, prolonged use can lead to detrimental effects such as vision problems, sleep issues, and obesity.
Reducing screen time means your child will have more free time for engaging activities. If you have a toddler or a preschool-aged child at home, what are your experiences in keeping them entertained and away from phones and tablets? Did you know children at this age need around 3 hours of physical activity each day?
Children aged 2-4 not only need ample movement but also a variety of physical activities. Therefore, it is vital to allocate time for their activities. There are many simple and enjoyable activities that can keep them entertained at home, enhance their skills, and keep them away from screens.
Successful and attentive parents engage their children away from mobile devices through fun games, as introduced in this section of lifestyleSelMagzto promote the necessary physical activity for your little ones.
Recommended games by successful parents to keep kids away from tablets
Animal Movement Imitation
You can encourage your child to slither like a snake, jump like a frog, gallop like a horse, or crawl like a bear, either indoors or outdoors. This activity helps develop crawling and jumping skills.
Jumping in Water Puddles
Two-year-olds love playing with water. You can fill a small pool with water, put on rubber boots, and ask them to jump in. This activity develops jumping skills.
Playing with Kites
On a calm, windless day, take your child outside and have them keep a kite in the air. Encourage them to maintain it off the ground for as long as possible. This activity enhances balance skills,runningand concentration.
Designing with Wet Sponges
On a hot summer day, fill a basin with cool water and gather some sponges. Ask your child to soak the sponges and use them to paint on the wall or cement floor. You can even use the sponges for coloring. This activity enhances their design skills, throwing ability, and concentration.
Treasure Digging
You can hide small toys in the sand and ask your child to search for them.
Simon Says
Simon Says is a game where one person takes the lead and asks others to follow physical commands like touching their nose, jumping down, standing on one leg, etc. This game helps develop skills like jumping and balance based on the leader’s commands.
Follow the Leader
Kids love playing tag, especially with a trusted adult or parent. Playing tag brings giggles and joy. This activity promotes running, dodging, and agility.
Playing with Leaves
The harmony of colors excites everyone. In the fall, kids can play with fallen leaves. Go for a walk with them and let them jump into piles of leaves, throw them in the air, and crush them with their hands. This activity helps strengthen jumping and throwing skills while lifting their spirits.HopscotchThe basic idea of this game is to draw squares on the ground with chalk. Number each square, and the first person throws a stone onto number one from a distance. If they accurately get it there, they hop on all squares except number one, and retrieve the stone on their way back. This game can be played alone or with friends, enhancing jumping, throwing, and concentration skills.
Snowball Toss
In winter, you can take your kids outside to make snowballs just like in the summer game with sponges and throw them. This game develops throwing and concentration skills.
Cycling
Kids love to show off, whether on tricycles, balance bikes, or regular bicycles. This helps maintain their balance skills.
Kicking a Ball
Balls are the main tool in many games. Using various sizes and types of balls, ask your child to kick them. You can also set up a makeshift goal with a wall and see if your child can kick the ball into the goal. This game develops kicking and power skills.
Gymnastics Balance Beam
With this game, you can enhance your child’s balance. You can place a strip of tape on the floor to create a straight line and encourage your child to walk back and forth along it, or turn it into a challenge by creating a zigzag or semicircle for them to walk on. This game improves balance skills.
Mini Sticks
Give your child a stick to hold with both hands, and then have them pass a ball back and forth or aim for a target. This task will improve their focus.
Bubble Play
Ideally, bubble play is an outdoor activity. Ask kids to make bubbles and then chase them. This game strengthens their agility skills.
Freeze Tag
This game is played in groups and goes like this: one person is chosen to freeze, then they must chase the other kids and tag them. Anyone tagged must freeze (stay still) until another player touches them to unfreeze. When all players are frozen, the game starts again with someone else freezing. This game develops agility and running skills.
Water Bucket Filling
Get a cup and two buckets (one smaller and one larger) for your child. Fill the larger bucket with water and place the smaller one a little distance away. Ask your child to fill the small bucket with water using the cup.
To make the game challenging, encourage them to keep moving between the buckets while laughing to maintain balance. This game builds agility and balance.
Jumping over Sharks
Cover your living room floor with shark-shaped paper and have your child jump from one side to the other without touching them. This game develops jumping skills.
Jump Rope
Hold one end of the rope and swing it in a circle on the floor. Ask your child to jump over it without touching the rope. As they jump, swing the rope. This activity boosts their jumping ability and agility.
Ring Toss
Tossing is easy for kids. Give a ring or small object to your child and ask them to toss it at a distance towards targets like a laundry basket or a designated spot. This game develops their throwing skills and strength.
Egg and Spoon
For this game, which requires hand-eye coordination, simply give your child a spoon and ask them to carry a boiled egg or plastic ball on it from one point to another. Notice how fast they can go! Do they maintain balance while moving?
Walking on PillowsLine up several pillows and cushions on the ground and ask your child to walk on them. While this may seem easy, it challenges their balance.
Bowling
Set up a few empty bottles or toilet paper rolls like a bowling game, and have your child roll balls of different sizes towards them. This activity hones their focus and strength.
Balance Beam
Ask your child to keep a pillow on their head and walk from one point to another, maintaining balance. To make the game challenging, create greater distances or ask them to navigate a zigzag or circular path with the pillow on their head. This activity promotes balance development.
Paper Rockets
There are many ways to make paper rockets at home. Create a few rockets and mark a boundary. Have your child launch them and see how far they can fly. This game will improve their throwing and strength skills.
Obstacle Course
Create obstacles indoors for your child to navigate without hitting them. They can crawl under a table, climb over a chair, or jump over a rope. This exercise enhances agility, balance, and coordination skills.
Skating
Take your child with their skates and helmet to a safe skating rink nearby for play. This game boosts their agility, balance, and coordination.
Walking
Go for a walk with your child, asking them to climb a hill, jump over a log, or balance on curbs. This activity fosters agility, balance, and coordination.
Jumping over Water Sprays
Set up a sprinkler in your yard and ask your child to jump over it while imitating animal movements. The combination of laughter and water makes the game exciting. This enhances their agility, jumping, and excitement.
Marble Game
The marble game is a recreational game where children roll glass balls (marbles) and aim to move them out of a designated area. This helps
improve their concentration.
Yoga
Kids can learn various yoga poses at this age. Look for a class or teach your child some poseslike tree pose, downward dog, or sun salutation. This practice enhances balance skills.Long Jump
How far can your child jump? Challenge them indoors to see how far they can go.
Marching to MusicKids love to make noise. Entertain them with pots and traditional musical instruments while celebrating your excitement. This game enhances their agility, coordination, and reaching skills.Singing and Dancing to Upbeat Music
Sing together or find music that encourages your child to move. These rhythmic motions and activities boost their agility skills while enjoying lively music.
Color Play (Playing with Colors)
On a walking path or in a park, color four sections (with chalk) with different colors. Choose a color and ask your child to run towards that colored section. Continue naming different colors in various orders. This enhances their running skills.
Hide and Seek
Kids can hide themselves or their favorite toys at home and find them during your countdown. This game boosts their agility skills.
Children and Mobile Devices
Separating Tablets from Children
Kite Playing
Kite flying for children’s physical activity
Follow the Leader Game
