Creating Offline Time

Parents want to know: What is right amount of Screentime? 

Parents always ask me for a specific number of hours. With younger kids it’s easy to recommend (following the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations) to limit screen time for children under 2 to avoid media use, preschools to have no more than 1 hour of high-quality programing, and grade-schooler/ teens to not let media displace other important activities. 

With remote learning and as kids get older and need to use devices for homework, research and as a socialization outlet the waters get a little murky. I would then encourage parents to instead focus on the time spent offline. Not only is this easier to calculate, it also makes it more manageable. Personally I like to encourage my kids to get at least 2 hours of outside time in everyday (and yes this includes the rain and the cold of winter). We usually make this time spent together taking the dog for a walk, playing a game of soccer/ basketball, or exploring the woods near our house. If outdoors isn’t your thing, cooking up a snack or treat in the kitchen, playing a board game, getting a workout in, or crafting could be great options for offline time. Our kids (especially once they have their own devices) may need help making a list of potential offline activities. This may seem crazy but for kids mindlessly scrolling Instagram or playing a mindless game on their phone is simple and easy. Helping them brainstorm a list of non-screen ideas gives them a jumping off point for offline time. 

Some ideas for offline time may include: 

• Taking a walk
• Playing a board game
• Reading a book
• Playing a board game
• Playing their favorite sport (soccer, basketball, etc.)
• Dancing to their favorite songs
• Making something (legos, beading, crafts, making a card, painting, drawing, etc.)
• Cooking something (snack, dinner prep, treat)
• Cleaning their room 
• Doing a load of laundry 
• Yard work (pick up sticks/ leaves. shoveling snow)
• Play a card game
• Doing a puzzle 
• Creating a skit/ show with costumes (can even be videoed and sent to grandparents) 
• Choreographing a dance (again can be videos and sent to grandparents— not for TikTok)

As a parent creating a screen-free time for the entire family EVERYDAY is a helpful strategy for creating offline experiences. This can be a family rule of screen-free dinners. If you find your kids are rushing through dinner to get back to their phones, then having a set time (like from 6-7pm) every day where everyone in the family (and YES THAT MEANS YOU TOO) have to put phones away. The most important part of screen-free time is that you the parent follows the rule as well to set the example for the child that offline time is important to create a healthy tech relationship. If you can’t put your phone away for an hour or during the meal, how can you expect your child to do the same? 

Educational Websites Resources List

Educational Websites List 

High School Educational Websites List

Parenting in the Digital Age Infographic

Technology Myth

One of the Myths that is perpetuated online is that one policy of time limits fits for all kids and that's simply just not true. Technology- use is never going to be a one- size- fits all strategy when we talk about screen time, apps, games and devices. What works for some kids will not work for others. Just like with parenting, it takes some trial and error to find the right fit for your child. Personally my son needs a hard limit set (prior to use) for time and for certain shows/apps/games or he becomes hyperactive and has a meltdown when the time is over. I've also noticed certain things make him more aggressive so we don't allow him to watch/ play those games and shows. Find what works for your family and your child. 

STEAM Apps for Learning

Mindfulness Apps

Summer Break

School is almost out for Summer Break (whether or not we are ready to have the kids home). It's easy to start the summer off saying we are going to have screen time limits and then 2 weeks pass and boredom and frustration set it and the next thing you know the kids are watching Netflix marathons and haven't gotten out of the pajamas in days. To avoid this scenario, approach the summer with a set plan for media use. A good start is creating a Family Media Plan and then adjusting for the summer months. A summer chart check list can also be helpful in setting up your child for a healthy and balanced summer break. 

What's a Family Media Plan you might ask? A Family Media Plan is a set of guidelines customized to your family values that establishes how, when and where technology is used. It can include screen-free times, screen-free zones, device curfew, safety and digital citizenship. The simple act of having a discussion about media use in your household will hep your family identify the purpose of using technology (work, school work, social interactions, communication, games, etc) and create a balance between your online and off-line lives. Over the summer months kids can easily play video games, binge Netflix's or text into the night hours, then sleep half the day away and get nothing accomplished. Check out a full article on the topic here: https://www.teachingdigitalliteracy.com/2018/09/creating-family-media-plan.html

Here's a quick chart to help keep kids on track during the summer months and create a healthy routine yet still allow them to enjoy their extra screen time. 

This chart can easily be adjusted based on your child's age or developmental level. We typical do 'homeschool' time right after breakfast which includes summer workbook and reading time while my boys are most focused, least tired and the least likely to push-back on doing the work. It's important to find your own grove with what works for your family. 

Happy Summer!