Ms. Jennifer

Screen-Free Saturdays

June 6 - Last entry

Well, now that we've been at this for almost a month, it feels like it's part of our lives. Below is a list of benefits different websites give for going screen-free. Personally, it's made me more aware of my use of time and what I really value doing on my own and with my family. I hope to continue going screen-free and would love to hear from you if you and your family have taken up the challenge. Send me an email and let me know: jennifer@bowmontcommunitypreschool.ca

Benefits of going screen-free:

• Improved sleep

• Present-moment awareness

• Deepened connections

• Gives your brain a break

• Reduces stress and anxiety

• Lets children (and adults) rediscover real play

Screen-Free Saturdays

May 23 - Getting the hang of it

We're now on our third screen-free Saturday and it's becoming easier and easier to put our devices away and not think about them all day. My daughter is even excited about Saturday and makes it her reading day. Warmer weather certainly helps to get us outside planting the garden, going for walks or bike rides or just relaxing in the yard. We tend to end our screen-free time at 5pm so we can still watch a movie together in the evening. There are so many variations of going screen-free that it just depends on what works for your family:

• turn off devices an hour before bed

• Saturdays don't work? Try another day or half a day

• stay off screens for the first hour of your day

Next time I'll talk about some of the benefits of taking a break from our screens.

Screen-Free Saturdays

May 9th - Our first (and not entirely successful) attempt at going screen-free

I had heard about making a pledge to take a break from all our electronic devices for one whole day through an email from Calgary Reads. I've never considered myself dependent on my device but with the present state of homeschooling, video conferences and chatting with friends online, to my shock I've been spending 9 hours of my waking day on my phone (this number provided by the handy Digital Wellbeing section on my phone). So at 11am on Saturday, after already spending 50 minutes on a screen, I took the pledge for my kids and I to go screen-free. I sat down to read a book but soon started glancing at my phone. I resisted the urge and habit to do a quick check.

My kids were much better at disconnecting. I was amazed how quickly they got into deep, imaginative play. They became rock climbers with ropes and carabiners then they put on a fashion show with multiple themes, props and accessories and myself and a favourite stuffy as the judges. Before I had a chance to intervene, however, my daughter was on the computer working on a research project that was due soon. I could hardly say no to school work. Her screen-free attempt ended after 3 hours. My son and I carried on and lasted 6 hours without technology. We clearly needed some practice and persistence to make it for a whole day. Maybe next week we'll be better...

Click here to see more about finding a balance with screen-time on our Building Stronger Brains page.