How to keep your children entertained in a healthy way

Ms.T recommends how to keep your children entertained in a healthy way.

Although television can keep your child engaged while you are busy in the kitchen or running errands around the house, watching too much TV is linked to increased obesity and diabetes in children, and also has an adverse effect on their sleep patterns. To stop your child from watching too much TV follow these guidelines:

•  If you begin your day by switching on the TV, you can expect your children to do the same. Children are easily influenced by their parents and tend to follow their footsteps, so try to keep yourself occupied with reading or other activities whGuidele sipping your morning coffee instead of switching on the box.

•  Offer alternative activities. Assign fun projects such as drawing, solving puzzles or playing Lego that develop cognitive abilities. Involve your family into playing a board game so that the child gets enthusiastic about participating.

•  Read out stories to her to develop essential reading habits which will, in turn, increase intellectual capacity.

•  Encourage your child to play outside with kids from the neighbourhood or arrange play dates. Let her venture out independently.

Take heart that you are not the only mother struggling to keep her child away from Ben 10 and Barbie Fairytopia. It may take a few tantrums and a lot of resistance from your child but eventually it will bring the siblings together and engage them in worthwhile activities that will benefit them in the long run. 

5 Nutritious Party foods for kids 

1. What’s a party without good old sandwiches? Use colourful veggies, cheese, eggs and mayo for the filling. Place them on funky plates and hold them together with decorative toothpicks topped with pictures of cartoon characters.

2. Kids love to attack bite-sized, easy to grab chips while running around in a party but these can easily be replaced by healthier baked flatbread chips served with hummus or a cheesy dip.

3. Freshly baked mini pizzas are bound to be a hit. Add some fresh green vegetables and some pineapples as topping and a layer with cheese.

4. Every child is born with a sweet tooth and there is nothing better than fresh strawberries bursting with natural sweetness, colour and goodness. Skewer some fresh big strawberries on to a paddle pop stick and serve them with some melted chocolate.

5. After a tiring run around the garden, your little guests will be up for a thirst-quenching drink. Just blend some peeled mangoes or berries with yoghurt or milk to make delicious and nourishing smoothies. Decorate them with cute little umbrellas or character tags to entice them.

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, May 12^th, 2013.

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