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kids&
screen
time
Dr. Dimitri Christakis
is an expert on the
effects of media on
kids' health and
development at Seattle
Children's Hospital.
Here are his tips for
managing kids' media
consumption.
L im it total screen time
(including TV, movies,
and gaming) to no
more than two hours
per day. Less is better.
And no T V at all for
children under 2.
T u rn o ff the T V when
a chosen program is
over and during meals.
Avoid having it on as
background noise.
Keep TVs out of
bedrooms.
P la n media-free days
when the T V stays off.
Stock plenty of non-
media activities in the
same room as the TV.
A v o id using T V time
as a reward.
W a tch with your
children and talk about
what you see.
OPEN TO FUN
Stow bulky gaming gear (balance boards,
guitars, etc.) in a storage ottoman. Look for a lined
interior and a slow-release hinge that won’t pinch little
fingers. Nest divided storage containers inside for
smaller accessories.
BOXED SET
No matter how carefully you alphabetize your
movie collection, a bunch of cases on the shelf looks
cluttered. Instead, store discs in boxes that look good and
keep things organized. Set up separate boxes for kids’
movies, mom and dad’s movies, and video games. Label
them so discs get put back in the right spots.
Stockholm DVD box, $13, containerstore.com
48
A P R IL
2010
B E T T E R H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S
