Encouraging Screen Free Play- Can You Do It For a Week?

Are you tired of trying to get your kids’ attention because their face is always buried in their phone, computer, video game, or tablet? If so, you don’t have to play second fiddle to a screen. Remember, you are the boss, not that piece of plastic. So, if you’re struggling to get your kids to answer you when you pose a question, if you are experiencing tantrums, zombie-like behavior, or a general sense of laziness in your household, it’s time to show technology (and your kids) who’s boss. Read on to learn why you should encourage screen-free play, and take on a week-long challenge to see if you notice a difference and if your kids will even miss it!

Taking away technology does the following:

1. It puts their minds at rest

Believe it or not, but Adrenaline and dopamine are released in the brain with screen use. This can really affect a developing brain. Your child may seem addicted to technology, and experience panic when it’s taken away from them. If this is the case, it’s time to cut back, and give them a rest. Never allow your child to go on technology before bed, since the release of chemicals within the brain could also affect their sleep.

2. It helps unify your family

When you remove technology, it forces a family to talk to one another. It helps promote engaging conversations, establish stronger connections, and it helps keep everyone focused on things that really matter within a family unit.

3. It helps kids develop unique interests

What kid doesn’t love video games or technology? When kids only have this to play with, they get cheated out of realizing their talents or other unique interests. Kids don’t get the opportunity to daydream, think critically, explore outdoors, read, or invent anything!

4. It helps promote real play

Kids’ idea of play involves the use of a character, rather than a real friend. They think pushing buttons is “playing” and they are really missing out on interacting with others through dramatic play, sports, board games, and even building with blocks and other items, which requires thought, skill, and imagination. Video games and technology apps are designed to “do” things for the kids without allowing them to put in a lot of effort, unlike “real” play, which they need.

5. It helps to teach them what is really important in life.

When kids don’t have technology, they are forced to think on their feet, ponder things quietly on their own, and understand their current situation and position in life. This forces them to think about others, to be more sympathetic, caring, giving, respectful, and responsible.

If these five reasons sound tempting to you, going technology-free for the week is easy. You simply give your child a prompt to put all their items in a box and direct them to not ask for them for an entire week. This can be difficult for younger children, since they need to find other forms of entertainment, so be sure to have plenty of non-technology items available for them to utilize. Also, take this opportunity to plan plenty of family activities together (board games, cooking projects, picnics, outings like mini golf or an evening at the bookstore!) – especially try to emphasize outdoor activities too!

Going screen free teaches your kids a valuable lessons and believe it or not; your kids won’t miss what they don’t have. So, while going screen-free may be difficult the first day or two, by the end of the week; (Remember the key is to keep them busy at first!) their reset button will be pushed and they’ll have a better understanding of a balanced life.