If you’re like me, you have very creative children and you hate the idea of placing them in front the TV all day (or even at all.) That’s especially true now that the American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that early television exposure can cause attentional problems in children.
Watching a lot of TV at a young age can also interfere with the development of fine motor skills. Beal Early Childhood Center suggests alternative activities that include fine motor manipulatives.
Pre-kindergartners benefit from experiences that support the development of fine motor skills in the hands and fingers. Children should have strength and dexterity in their hands and fingers before being asked to manipulate a pencil on paper. Working on dexterity and strength first can eliminate the development of an inappropriate pencil grasp, which is becoming more commonplace as young children are engaged in writing experiences before their hands are ready. The following activities involve the use of manipulatives which will support young children’s fine motor development, and will help to build the strength and dexterity necessary to hold a pencil appropriately.
There are several alternatives to watching television, many of which include fine motor manipulatives. The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital has created a list of the twenty things your child can do instead of watching TV.
20 Things To Do Instead of Watching TV
- Puzzles
- Play board or card games
- Draw or paint
- Start a new hobby
- Write a letter
- Have a family night
- Watch videotapes instead of regular TV
- Exercise — Go for a walk, swim, play ball, bike, etc.
- Collect something
- Visit the library, museums, mall or other points of interest
- Play a musical instrument
- Read
- Cook something
- Play educational computer games
- Role play
- Join a club or activity group
- Cut pictures from old magazines
- Plant a garden
- Make something with clay
- Listen to music, sing and dance
My favorite resource for keeping my children active an away from the television is the Little Kid Crafts for All Seasons. I’d like to think that I’m a creative person, but as I’m sure you know, you can quickly run out of ideas. The Little Kid Crafts for All Seasons workbook has over 200 pages of craft projects and ideas. My favorite parts of it include:
- Each Craft Adjusts to the Child’s Skill Level
- Learning Opportunities Built In
- Full Color Pictures
- Step-by-Step Instructions and Diagrams
- Full Sized Templates and Patterns
- Organized To Find What You Want Fast
- Print or Copy Only The Craft You Need — Print Directly Onto Construction Paper!
- All Crafts Made From Household and Readily Available Materials
- Instant Access — You Can Start Crafting Today!
I encourage you to keep television watching to a minimum and to seriously consider introducing more crafts and projects as an alternative to TV. With resources like the Little Kid Crafts for All Seasons, you be able to keeps your kids busy and away from the television without worrying about running out of ideas.