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!

Decoding Teenage Texting/ Messaging