Kids nowadays are so into technology that it's a real challenge for a lot of parents to pry them away from these gadgets sometimes. Here in the Philippines, most kids are currently on summer break until mid-June or even July for some. I understand how easy it is to just allow an iPad or whatever gadget is available to play babysitter so we don't have to.
On my previous post Raising iGeneration Kids: Understanding the Challenges, I mentioned some of the negative effects of too much screen time on our children. I also shared some ideas there to help us minimize these negative effects.
One idea in particular and probably is the most obvious one was to limit the use of technology and provide other alternatives. Playing board games, for our family, is a perfect alternative. It's also a great opportunity to spend quality time with your kids. You just have to make the time.
Chess in particular is a great game with a ton of great benefits including the following:
Improves math and logical/critical thinking skills
Impacts reading and other verbal skills
Fosters self-esteem and respect for others
Our family also enjoys Monopoly and even card games. What about you? What are some of the games that you enjoy playing with your kids that don't require technology? I would love to hear other ideas for us to try.
