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With television, video games, the Internet, toys that sing and flash, complex playgrounds and the world at their fingertips, children are surrounded by constant stimulation. Often it can be too much.
Over-stimulation can cause stress in your child's life, so it is important to provide a balance for them.
Winona Health Pediatrician Craig H. Anderson, MD, advises parents to help their children find balance in their lives by promoting calm, creative activities. "Activities that promote listening, focusing on direction and learning by watching are great ways to help a child learn to focus and practice patience," Dr. Anderson said.
Dr. Anderson recognizes that children who learn how to entertain themselves-instead of always expecting to be entertained-develop self-confidence and independence.
"Letting children just play and use their imagination is best," Dr. Anderson said. Even a simple activity like drawing is a great way to foster creativity and focus in your child's life.
"Give your child a blank sheet of paper and watch their creativity blossom. Drawing and building promote creative thinking and independent working."
Reading, according to Dr. Anderson, is also one of the best activities for children. Reading aloud at a young age promotes further exploration into reading and learning as they grow.
"Children who develop a love for reading significantly increase their potential for academic and life-long success," he noted. "Plus it promotes quiet, relaxed time which helps balance out their busy lives and opens up a world of imagination."
Dr. Anderson encourages families to enjoy calm activities together.
"Spend time together as a family; enjoy the outdoors; walk; ride bikes and promote an overall healthy lifestyle," Dr. Anderson said.
"I also encourage parents to get their children involved in extra-curricular activities they will enjoy into adulthood. Golf, tennis, biking and skiing are good examples of lifetime sports."
For achieving balance in your child's life, Dr. Anderson's advice is simple: "Limit television and video games and get children outdoors. Encourage reading, writing and drawing. Let kids be the creative beings that they are."
