Ever wondered why your child loves screentime more than playtime? 

Addiction, built in.

The creators of various on-screen games know how to make them compelling and use this to their advantage. It is said that they employ psychologists and neuroscientists to build in messaging and special effects and competitive elements, to keep users coming back for more. Commercially, this improves not only their sales, but also the number of people playing their games at any time, which improves their ability to sell advertising. 

Limited Access

For most kids, their screen time is managed by their parents. This means they cannot play games when they feel like it. The phone is handed to the child on occasions, when it suits the parents. Limiting this access can in fact drive the appeal of screentime. 

Put simply, by holding back supply, demand is increased. 

What’s the answer for playtime?

At times, you have likely wondered why all the other toys in the cupboard are not so highly prized.

Some of these toys are simply one-hit wonders, played with for a few hours, but then once completed the fun is over. 

Most toys are always available to play with. They’re in the cupboard or drawer and available for playtime whenever the child wants. 

But why don’t they return to play with these toys? Ever wondered why the toys at Grandma’s are so much more exciting than those at home?

At Playwise, we seek to make non-screen delivered playtime, as exciting as screen time. As parents, you’ll know that’s not easy! 

But there is one very simple way you can win the battle! 

Keep your Playwise toys in the box they come in. Allow the box to be opened only at certain times that you dictate, (after screen-time is a good idea). Once they are finished playing, put the contents back in the box and put the box out of reach. 

Use your Playwise box, as an antidote to the removal of screetime. We don’t believe that screen time is bad, but we just want other forms of play to be equally as important and fun. So, give your child screen time as you see fit, but also use your box as a method to overcome any agitation or behavioural difficulties your child may have when the screen is taken away.

How many times have you heard in your household, “OK, time to get off your screen now!” What about if you added to the end of that, “How about we open your Playwise box for 30 minutes now? Go fetch it out the cupboard.” 

In this scenario, one scarce play type is replaced with another. The screen is quickly forgotten. The grievance is overcome.