Another big part of this is the lack of support structures. As a family we need to get things done, toddlers often prevent that. When there's no grandparent who is able to be there and help watch the kids, what really is the alternative?
replyBooks? Coloring in? drawing? Audio books? Duplo? Magnatiles?
replyThere are any number of alternatives that don’t involve a screen.
books are fine once you hit 6-7 years old, before then they'll get bored of them after 15-20mn since they can't read comfortably
replycolouring in / drawing great, but same thing, 15-20mn
construction games are great but they need to be carried about, they require space and there are parts you can lose
in places that aren't adapted for children (e.g. in an airplane or train), a tablet can be a life saver. you keep them busy/playing for an hour or so, then give them their digital crack for an hour, rinse and repeat. audio books are a good compromise
> books are fine once you hit 6-7 years old, before then they'll get bored of them after 15-20mn since they can't read comfortably
replyTeach them to read young, buy books that are active, etc. My kids could read for a lot longer by that age, and so could I.
> in places that aren't adapted for children (e.g. in an airplane or train), a tablet can be a life saver
Talk to them, play games with them....
Honestly, when I was a kid I was dragged to a lot of places which were adult spaces with my parents and it'd be boring but I'd just have to deal with it. We shouldn't be conditioning kids that they should be kept entertained and distracted for every waking second of their day because it doesn't prepare them for the fact that sometimes in life, things will be boring.
replyI hugely agree with this, not so much because they need to tolerate boredom, but because I think there are huge benefits to observing things/watching the world go by, to daydreaming, and to simple activities.
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