Start by discussing how eyes work and why they get tired. Explain that looking at screens, books, or anything close-up for too long makes eye muscles work hard without rest, leading to strain, headaches, dry eyes, or blurry vision. Mention that kids today spend way more time on screens than previous generations, so eye care is more important than ever. Share that simple exercises and breaks can prevent problems and keep eyes healthy for life. Ask your child: 'How do your eyes feel after a long gaming session or homework?' Listen for clues like tiredness, dryness, or headaches. Frame eye care as self-care—like brushing teeth but for vision.

Teach the golden rule of eye care: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This lets eye muscles relax from close-up focus. Practice right now: set a timer for 20 seconds, pick something across the room or out the window (a tree, building, parked car), and just stare at it. Notice how your eyes feel during and after—many people don't realize how much tension they hold until they release it. Explain that 20 feet is about as far as you can see clearly across a room or yard. Make it a habit: whenever you're reading, doing homework, or on screens, pause every 20 minutes for this break.

Now try a few eye exercises to strengthen and relax eye muscles. Sit comfortably and do these together: (1) Eye rolls: slowly roll your eyes clockwise 5 times, then counterclockwise 5 times. (2) Near-far focus: hold your thumb 10 inches from your face, focus on it for 5 seconds, then focus on something far away for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times. (3) Palming: rub your hands together to warm them, then gently cup them over your closed eyes (no pressure) for 30 seconds in darkness—this relaxes eye muscles. (4) Blink exercise: blink rapidly 10 times, then close eyes for 20 seconds. Blinking keeps eyes moist. Do this set once a day or whenever eyes feel tired.

Beyond exercises, create an eye-friendly environment. Adjust screen brightness to match room lighting (not too bright or dim). Position screens at arm's length and slightly below eye level to reduce strain. Use good lighting when reading—no reading in the dark with just a screen glowing. Encourage outdoor time daily (at least 1-2 hours)—natural light is great for eye health and reduces nearsightedness risk. Set screen time limits based on age (American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screens under 18 months, 1 hour for ages 2-5, reasonable limits for older kids). Use device settings or apps to enforce breaks and limits. Make a family rule: no screens 1 hour before bed to protect sleep and eyes.

Wrap up by committing to ongoing eye health. Schedule annual eye exams with an optometrist to catch vision changes early. Keep practicing the 20-20-20 rule, eye exercises, and good screen habits daily. Teach your child to recognize when their eyes are tired and to take breaks proactively, not just when forced. Praise self-awareness: 'You noticed your eyes were tired and took a break—that's taking great care of yourself!' Remind them that vision lasts a lifetime, and habits formed now protect their eyes for decades. Celebrate that your family now has tools to prevent eye strain and maintain healthy vision.