adjusting this screen time management - run around the block

[Anonymous]

Help me brainstorm how I would adjust this scenario.

I had a friend who managed preschooler screen time, by asking her kid to run or walk around the block one time, and then she could have a show.

Block run - show - block run - show.

It helped fill up the long stretches of afternoon, and made the kid be at least a little active. Mom friend had a baby too, brought the baby in the jogging stroller.

Running or walking was up to the kid. Usually liked to run

I think this would be positive for my kid as the months get darker and colder, less evening time playing outside.

We have lived in two houses that had a “block,” but our current house has no real block. It has sidewalks, but the HILLS. They are a lot. What I love about th block is that it is concrete. There’s no arguing about how far. You go around, from your door, back to your door.

How can I adjust this idea to my situation?

[Anonymous]

Set up a course to run along with an easy trail marker such as mini figurines all of the same kind. Child has to run and gather all x number of them up before next show. The course goes wherever is possible - perhaps out onto the porch and then back inside and up the steps and into the bathroom and out to the back gate and back through the kitchen.

Love this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Set up a course to run along with an easy trail marker such as mini figurines all of the same kind. Child has to run and gather all x number of them up before next show. The course goes wherever is possible - perhaps out onto the porch and then back inside and up the steps and into the bathroom and out to the back gate and back through the kitchen.

Love this!

Thanks! Fun we can do this fully indoors on the coldest days.

[Anonymous]

Why is just not allowing screens an option?

[Anonymous]

This seems super weird to me, but whatever. You should be able to manage screen time and not have to use normal activity as a bribe. For a preschooler? dang.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This seems super weird to me, but whatever. You should be able to manage screen time and not have to use normal activity as a bribe. For a preschooler? dang.

I think it's a fabulous idea. Take a walk with your kid! Get some exercise and some fresh air.

[Anonymous]

Toddlers need hands on play and activities. Ditch the screens.

[Anonymous]

I REALLY hope you’re a troll, this is a ridiculous idea for a toddler.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like your kid would be getting the message that exercise is boring and something you need to be bribed to do, combined with a ton of screentime.

If you want to take a walk with your child, then say "Oh, screentime is up. Let's go take a walk! That will be fun!"

[Anonymous]

I did something similar with an indoor trampoline.

[Anonymous]

I didn't do bribes. I did a schedule.

Physical play in the mornings (usually out somewhere like a new playground, the Wheaton regional train, the tire park at Seneca Creek State Park, etc.) Wearing him out physically made the rest of the day easier.

Lunch

He napped (I either napped or did chores)

Up again to play. Sometimes he would play by himself. Sometimes I needed to play with him.

When it was time for me to cook dinner, "that's" when he got screen time. It kept him busy so I could focus on meal prep.

[Anonymous]

Just do a time limit instead - 15 minutes outside or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't do bribes. I did a schedule.

Physical play in the mornings (usually out somewhere like a new playground, the Wheaton regional train, the tire park at Seneca Creek State Park, etc.) Wearing him out physically made the rest of the day easier.

Lunch

He napped (I either napped or did chores)

Up again to play. Sometimes he would play by himself. Sometimes I needed to play with him.

When it was time for me to cook dinner, "that's" when he got screen time. It kept him busy so I could focus on meal prep.

+1. It's good to get kids on a real schedule.

[Anonymous]

no screens for little kids.

[Anonymous]

My preschool aged children do very well with thinking about screen time being the thing we can do to "take a break" after doing things that are more important. some days thats cleaning up, other days getting exercise, etc. They'll drag their feet on something and as soon as I say "the way we'll have time for tv tonight / this afternoon is to make sure we've cleaned up from the day (been active to keep our bodies healthy....whatever)" they are eagerly doing whatever it is and often end up doing it more and for longer than i'd required

i personally think that thinking of screen time as something we can do to relax after we get done what we need to is a good lifelong mindset. Of course it'd be great if they read or did crafts or whatever instead as adults, but neither dh or i are that way and most adults i know aren't so i'm realistic about it