Almost All The Truth

My perspective and my kids’ perspective is very different on just about everything in life. So it isn’t surprising that Screen-Free Week is another one of those things.

I took to the halls to find out what the kids here think about what has been the best and worst parts of this week.

Me – “What is the worst part of Screen-Free Week?”

3-year-old – “I don’t like Screen-Free Week.”

6-year-old – “That I can’t play video games.”

8-year-old – “Not getting to watch tv.”

Me – “What is the best part of Screen-Free Week?”

3-year-old - “Smoothies!”

6-year-old - “Nothing. Well actually getting to bake cookies is kind of nice.”

8-year-old - “It saves energy.”

Today’s baseball game reminded me that I believe all those who teach, whether they be parents, coaches, or school teachers, have to meet our children where they are while always challenging them to be more, do more, seek more. For this very reason, I also believe that no one should tell you how to parent, how to teach, because you will have to meet your own children where they are.

With the threat of rain and the very real cold, the middle boy and I decided to warm our kitchen and bellies by baking cookies. I love baking any time, but when it is with just one child at a time, it is even more special. This one loved talking about the math of measuring: fractions, halving a recipe, and what happens when you don’t have the exact right measurement cup/spoon.

Since the other two were clamoring for attention by the time the cookies were cooling, it was decided that a special treat deserved a special place in which to eat them. Can believe that such a fun mama like me has never really taught her children to build forts?

Fort building time it was. And as an example of me attempting to direct my children’s imaginations, unsuccessfully I might (needlessly) add, I thought this would be a great opportunity to sing campfire songs or . No, it had to be a haunted house with monsters lurking outside, ghosts hovering, and lions stalking. Sigh.

Our day was topped by the most American of spring pastimes, baseball. The crack of the bat is heard on fields all across the country. The sound of cheers, the excitement of a big hit or unexpected catch, the smile on his face when he reaches first base… That is the best thing ever.

What is your favorite activity to do with your child, any time?

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I am partnering with Green Child Magazine to chronicle a week-in-the-life of a family experiencing Screen-Free Week. Each day I will highlight something our family is doing instead of watching tv, playing on the computer or video games. We will spend time together, time independently, time exploring, and likely a little time with not a thing to do. Join us!

Past the newness of the experience, we are once again firmly down the path of finding our way without the luxury of any screen time. Some children, and adults, are doing better than others and on both ends of the spectrum I see why it is so important to unplug from the technology and plug-in to what is healthy for our hearts and minds.

For the one who hasn’t been too terribly affected by the course of this week, perhaps showing him that we really don’t need screen time at all is equally important with the recognition there are educational opportunities available on the computer.

For the one who is upset because his favorite thing to do after school is play LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean this week tells me that he needs to have other options that are just as pleasurable.

For the youngest who forgets every morning that it is Screen-Free Week, and who is still trying to figure out what constitutes a “screen,” this won’t last, but she has engaged in more independent play after her brothers board the bus.

Screen-Free Week Activities

Smoothies. Smoothies are an easy way to sneak in greens and other nutritious foods, but they are also an opportunity to learn about the aforementioned healthy foods and realize they are certainly delicious. Allowing your children to begin choosing their own ingredients (within reason of course!) and going slowly with the greens with reluctant children. I try to update my Facebook page with recipe ideas that can easily be tweaked for kids’ palates.

Science Experiment. Science can be fun for just about every child, especially when there are possibilities for explosions! My eldest reads about things like the periodic table just for fun and science experiments of any kind are right up his alley.

What I didn’t necessarily expect were the reactions of his brother and sister when watching him work with baking soda and vinegar while adding in a few variables: amount, container, added salt, added pepper, Dr. Bronner’s, and temperature.

I loved this because I could sit back and let them have at it. The ingredients they were working with were safe and they learned a few lessons about asking a question, developing a hypothesis, and testing their idea. For one child in particular, it was also a lesson in learning it is ok to guess wrong. Plus when they inevitably spilled, they cleaned the mess and the floor! Win-win. We did this organically, but it would be easy to take this further based on your child’s interest and age. Teach how to make scientific observations, record data, draw conclusions, and even more types of chemical reactions.

Library. Our family cycles through loads of books and the library is often an after-school or weekend excursion. It is quiet, full of books and puzzles, and keeps our reading lists fresh. many local libraries have several similar programs for kids to take advantage of on rainy days, hot day, or any day: storytime, performances, reading to therapy dogs, and special teen events.

Reading. After a busy afternoon, a little downtime is in order. A leading indicator in our children’s academic success is reading and being read to. Additionally, when children see adults reading for enjoyment, they internalize the belief that reading is fun and essential.

So I set to work on Mockingjay. It was a hardship I tell you. The little ones each curled up in their respective corners, propped with pillows, and quietly(!) read to themselves from the stash we brought home from the library.

Let’s get the conversation started! How is your Screen-Free Week going so far? If you aren’t participating, why not?

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I am partnering with Green Child Magazine to chronicle a week-in-the-life of a family experiencing Screen-Free Week. Each day I will highlight something our family is doing instead of watching tv, playing on the computer or video games. We will spend time together, time independently, time exploring, and likely a little time with not a thing to do. Join us!

A significant benefit of going screen-free in the spring is that there is a good chance the weather will allow for spending lots of time outside. I love to do the occasional walk in the rain and puddle jumping expeditions, but a sunny day beckons until we answer the call.

Children today spend less time outdoors than any other generation. Research indicates children will be happier and healthier when there is balance between indoor and outdoor play. There is also more evidence that the type of play necessitated by playing in natural spaces will encourage imagination, attention span, and may even improve academic performance for older children.

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All of my children attend school for part of the day. The little ones come home before lunch time, ravenous from work and play, hungry for attention, with my work for the day only just begun. It is too tempting to agree to the show or few minutes of video game time. That wasn’t going to work today now, was it?

The middle boy breezed through the door and setting his backpack on the ground began to angle for some screen time. Crocodile tears and protests of nothing to do ensued, leading to a stomping into the room and an hour of Lego play. See how that works?

The baby girl helped me make her lunch, with singing and chatterings. A bonding activity for the one who needs her mama now. Experimenting and learning about healthy foods and independent choices takes the time we need to enjoy each other’s company and prepare her for a little creative play after her meal.

The eldest arrives home on the big yellow bus with energy to spare and a twinkle of mischief in his eye. He is greeted with joy by his brother who adores him and his leadership in play. He is certainly ready to expend some of that energy outside!

We spent our afternoon exploring a wild, untamed part of our yard. When you have lots of rain and miss the one weekend of sun to mow, you get clumps of grass so tall they had the eight year old playing with wonder. Trees are meant for climbing, driveways meant for skateboarding, and grassy freedom to run, jump, and feel the sun on our arms.

Playing outside during Screen-Free Week may be no different than a typical day for your children or it may be something more unusual. Either way, it will benefit the whole family and will hopefully continue long after this week is over, rain or shine.

Were you lucky enough to get outside in the sun yesterday or were you forced to work on rainy day activities (dancing or singing in the rain anyone)?

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I am partnering with Green Child Magazine to chronicle a week-in-the-life of a family experiencing Screen-Free Week. Each day I will highlight something our family is doing instead of watching tv, playing on the computer or video games. We will spend time together, time independently, time exploring, and likely a little time with not a thing to do. Join us!

Screen-Free Week With Almost All The Truth and Green Child Magazine

Today is the beginning of Screen-Free Week (formerly TV-Turnoff Week). If you haven’t read some of the facts about why minimizing our kids’ screen time is so important, go read and come back. We’ll wait.

There are really two schools of thought on how to manage this week when your children are used to screen time, no matter how much: (1) Let the kids discover for themselves what their lives are like without tvs, computers, or video games, even if that means lots of whining and protests of boredom or (2) Guide your children through activities that keep them engaged, introduce something new, or foster togetherness.

I subscribe to a little of each philosophy.

Learning a little independence in play is healthy, as is learning to combat boredom using the imagination and what is available at the time. We are striving to raise empathetic, creative, physically active, mentally active, capable human beings.

Reducing screen time can help with that and it benefits all children.

Have A Plan For Screen-Free Week

What will you say when your kids inevitable say they are bored? Will you encourage them to find something they can do on their own or will you guide them in an activity? Depending on the situation, either will be an opportunity for you and your child to learn how to move forward with less screen time after this week is over.

20 Sample Activities

These will give you an idea of what to offer to younger children, but older children might like to print or write a list of options they can choose from – at least until they decide their own ideas are more fun!

1. Build a fort.
2. Tell stories, spooky or fairytale.
3. Put on a play.
4. Make sock puppets.
5. Paint a scene from a book or story.
6. Scavenger hunts.
7. Sports.
8. Board games.
9. Read.
10. Hide and seek.
11. Create a nature table or village.
12. Garden.
13. Bake.
14. Learn origami.
15. Make popcorn.
16. Make popsicles.
17. Decorate a clay pot and plant flowers or herbs.
18. Make a bird feeder.
19. Write a letter to a friend or grandparent.
20. Make a Mason bee box.

Which approach sounds right for your family and what do you think you will do today to combat the boredom? Come back tomorrow to see a peek into what we did! 

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I am partnering with Green Child Magazine to chronicle a week-in-the-life of a family experiencing Screen-Free Week. Each day I will highlight something our family is doing instead of watching tv, playing on the computer or video games. We will spend time together, time independently, time exploring, and likely a little time with not a thing to do. Join us!