Hello exam time! Time has flown, hasn’t it? It’s now the all too stressful exam period, and students are back to revision and preparing for the exams. Many distractions might be making them fall off track. You might be working hard at helping your child get rid of all distractions around them. But, one of the biggest reasons for them not being able to perform well might be your phone usage.
Surprised?
Well, it is a theory that has been receiving support these days. Researchers are saying that the parents’ phone usage pattern can have a huge influence on a child’s development and studies.
You might be aware of how a child’s smartphone usage might affect their studies and development. “But, how does my phone usage affect my child?” you might ask.
How does it affect your child?
Several things factor into this. A parent’s smartphone addiction can harm a child as much as the children getting addicted themselves. Parenting styles have gone through a lot of changes. Nowadays, parents spend more time with their children than any parents have done before. But, even with the increased time they are spending with children, the quality of time spent has decreased. The main cause of this is their phone usage. The time spent with children can be described as parents being there physically, but mentally engaged at looking at their phones.
Children learn and develop through their interaction with parents and adults around them. But, in the present world, adults spending time with children use that time mostly looking at phones and just paying half-hearted attention to the children. Such children develop poor language and attention skills. So, if your child finds it hard to concentrate and pay attention to studies, you might be the root cause of that. Also, children that grow up watching parents spend all the time looking at phones become addicted and dependent on phones themselves.
A child’s developmental years require quite a lot of attention from parents. Children growing up without proper attention and interaction can often develop issues like ADHD and other attention deficit disorders. They need to be taught things and skills by interacting with them. Don’t leave it to educational institutions or other devices.
Not only young children but even teenagers can be affected by parents’ phone usage. Children who feel neglected are more prone to develop low self-esteem and will often lose motivation to learn. Also, the students trying to control their phone usage might feel tempted to use their phones when they see the parents spending time on them. You can’t tell your children that phone addiction is bad and then continue to use your phone in front of them at all times.
Parents are also prone to develop attention issues due to smartphone addiction. It can lead to anger issues and other similar mental issues. Research has proven that parents with smartphone addiction are more prone to violently punish their children. It can create a stressful environment for students to study
What can you do?
- While with your children, put your phones away as much as possible.
- If your children are trying to reduce their phone usage and focus on their work, work with them by setting an example of yourselves. Show them how you do it, and they will soon follow suit.
- Spend time with your children regularly. Talk to them and engage in productive family activities during this time.
- Designate technology-free areas in your house where the use of phones and other technological devices are not allowed. It can help you and your children get your addiction under control.
- Use apps that can remind you when you have exceeded phone usage time.
- Try to control any issues you might have and create a peaceful atmosphere for your children to learn.
- Disconnect from external sources and take a few days off to spend time with your children to help them during this exam time, if possible.
- Get your children professional help if they are now facing technology addiction or any such related issues. Talk to them openly about whether they are feeling neglected or have any problems with you.
As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that your children have an atmosphere where they can study peacefully and prepare well for their exams. While it is true that you cannot get rid of all the distractions yourself, what you have to do is try not to be a distraction yourself. Also, try not to be the reason your children cannot concentrate or pay attention. Spend the time you have with them productively towards their betterment.
“Every home is a university and the parents are the teachers!” – Mahatma Gandhi
Remember that children learn more from seeing your actions than from your words. If you tell them one thing and act another way, it will only confuse them. So, teach your children by setting an example. Help them stay concentrated and achieve good results in their exams!
Is time on your phone affecting your relationship with your kids?
Exam Smart Tips
Exam Smart Tip #1 – How to Encourage Our Kids to Speak Better?
Exam Smart Tip #2 – How to avoid carelessness?
Exam Smart Tip #3 – Establishing Routines!
Exam Smart Tip #4 – Let’s Read Carefully!
Exam Smart Tip #5 – Beating the Exam Fever!
Exam Smart Tip #6 – How to Eat Right for the Exams?
Exam Smart Tip #7 – How to Avoid a Meltdown?
Exam Smart Tip #8 – Taking Stress out of Tests
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