Baby Care

You had a bad day, you’re tired and want to relax, therefore, do not hesitate to sit your active baby in front of the TV – it just gives you a few hours of rest. Admit that such a situation is very usual? You can be sure, you are not alone. Recent studies have shown that most children over the age of two should watch TV for more than 10 hours per week (compare with the recommended hour a day for children of this age group). So, besides the responsibility for upbringing of a child, you still bear some blame. However, everything is not lost yet – you are able to reduce the time that your child spends in front of the TV. The principal is to set a simple and realistic goal, for example, limit the time to watching 2 cartoons a day.

Here are some ways how to fill your child’s free time.

• Realistic Assessment of Time which you spend in front of the TV
  How many hours a day your family spends in front of the TV? To answer this question, check (not interfering), how long children remain in front of the TV. This is not just about watching TV shows or cartoons which broadcasts the TV, but on watching video. Start the mini-diary for a week and write down the exact start and finish of TV watching. It is possible that the results will be surprising.
• Make a Plan
  Determine ahead which TV programs children are allowed to watch. Do not switch the TV set when you want to. Having a TV program on hand, make a family TV watching plan and do not deviate from it.
• Do not put the TV in the Centre of the Room
  According to psychological studies, children mostly watch TV when it is in the middle of the room, i.e., in view. Try to move the TV set close to the door for it not to attract your child’s attention.
• Do not forget to turn off the TV
  Studies have shown that about 50% of people do not shut down TV, even when they are not watching it, and go about their business.
• Teach Children to Live without TV
  Don’t allow to watch TV for some time. First don’t let watching TV during meals. Of course, you will meet some resistance, but in such an early age children adopt new rules of the game easily.
• Find Interesting Activities for Children
  Suggest your child drawing. Buy some coloring books, read a book, tell a fairy tale, or just play interactive games.
• Make Use of the Old Toys
  It’s a common knowledge that new toys quickly annoy children. Sometimes hide abandoned toys and then invisibly “throw” them to your child.
• Get Ready to Kindergarten
  Spend some time on preparing your child for kindergarten. Start learning the alphabet and numbers. Select a «letter of the day» and teach your child words beginning with that letter.
• Ask Your Child to Help You at Home
  Children are fond of helping their mother’s in washing dishes, cleaning rooms and in other household activities, so involve them in them. Feel free to trust the child the brush for washing vegetables or the dust cloth– he/she will be flattered by your confidence.
• Join in Singing!
  As a rule, children like songs and sing them with pleasure. Often sing with your child – it develops his speaking and listening skills. In addition, singing teaches to notice the difference between sounds of speech – this skill is very useful especially when children start learning to read.