Observing your child's early outdoor freeplay is so rewarding as a parent. Sometimes we get to beam with pride as we allow them the freedom to play and create their own experience.
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Observing your child's early outdoor freeplay is so rewarding as a parent. Sometimes we get to beam with pride as we allow them the freedom to play and create their own experience.
Unrestricted nature play is a great opportunity for children to direct their own play time and work together to make it fun. Plus, it’s more relaxing for us parents, too. Win, win…right??!
Often, when children are free to roam and play outside surrounded by trees, they feel better, behave better and (in my experience) ask for fewer snacks!!
This is the reality of screen time in my house.
It exists. It is used. It’s powers are harnessed for good.
I use TV and screens as a tool. We’ll get to what that means, I promise.
Screens are a tool I have access too and for that, I’m pretty grateful.
I sometimes wonder what mornings were like for parents in the 1920s without Ryder and the Pups to somewhat parent the children while Pa chopped wood and Ma fetched the eggs…
But this is not a life I lead.
I lead a life where I have TV to help at times when I need help, and I use it. TV in the morning serves a purpose for my family: it allows me to set the morning stage, get cooking, and home-director tasks started.
That’s the end of screen time for my kids each morning. That’s it. A show to help me out and then we move on with the day. They have another 30 minutes of screen time in the afternoon as part of their quiet time/post naps routine.
Here’s the best part:
My kids don’t beg for more.
My kids don’t hound me all day.
They kids aren’t up in arms when the TV goes off.
Why? Because there are boundaries.
There are expectations, there are routines, and all that goodness rolls into a nice little screen time plan for my family.
Please know that I don’t have rainbow unicorn children who are fairy dusted and void of meltdowns. The routines we have around screen time were carefully and thoughtfully built to produce a “system” where we can live (virtually) screen/tv tantrum free.
If you are a planner, you probably have already started holiday gift shopping. It hits me when I posted Toca Hair Salon Christmas – I could start looking for deals on apps my son likes and put them on an iPod we don’t use anymore. It would be a good holiday gift. If you like the idea, but have no extra device to spare, you can still buy some good apps and then “hide” them. Below we introduce 3 levels… Read more
I like to be able to change the screen orientations when I use iPhone or iPad. Depending on what you are doing, sometimes it is better using portrait orientation, sometimes it is better to use horizontal screen. However, if a child is using the device for a extented time period, say watching a movie or a video, especially a young child, he/she may not be able to keep the device still, making the orientation changing all the time, and then… Read more
Many parents worry about kids’ screen time and look for solutions for parental control of screen time limit. The good news is the function is available on iPhone and iPad with the Guided Access feature. The Guided Access allows you to lock the iPad or iPhone screen within the app you choose. When it is on, kids can only use that one app. To get out of the app, they need your password to stop Guided Access. We have a detailed… Read more
Since I posted How to Child-proof iPAD, I received so many questions asking how to lock iPAD screen or iPhone screen, so kids stay within the app you want them to. Today we share how to use Guided Access feature to control kids’ screen time and app access, an important parental control feature that iOS has. Beside tech tips, iGameMom shares fun STEM learning ideas for kids. If you would like to receive free learning ideas, sign up for iGameMom… Read more
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How do you share pictures with family and friends? Do you email them? Today I have a Free app that letting you share picture between devices for free instantly. You can even share it with many people just by one click. Chirp is a free app. It transfers files by creating a unique sound profile. When the app sings aloud the chirp, any device that has the app running can hear the chirp and receive the file encoded by the… Read more
Do you have a lot photos on your iPhone or iPad? How are you sharing these photos with family and friends? There are some third party apps or programs letting you share photos online, but today I am going to show you another way that you can share your photos right from your iPhone and iPad, no need to sign up a third party service, not even an email. You can share your photos with family and friends using Photo… Read more
Is photo storage an issue for you? I have been looking for free picture storage apps and online photo storage options for a while. Many suggested Amazon photo storage, but it is only free when you are Amazon Prime member. Is there any other free options? I just find a perfect solution. Shutterfly has free apps for iPhone and iPad and other devices that provide unlimited storage space off your camera. Update: Don’t use Shutterfly. I just lost all my… Read more
Many people don’t put data plan on their iPad. This means the iPad cannot access internet or send emails without Wifi, or when the Wifi signal is too weak. Have you ever had the experience sitting at a busy airport trying to send out an email, but you just can’t? Do you know you can use your iPhone as your own Wifi hotspot wherever you go? This means your iPhone can provide Wifi connection to your iPad and computer via… Read more
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Allow me show you how I use screens at my house, how I manage this time, and what to do if your family is in a screen-time trap, with way more TV time than you feel comfortable with (been there!). I have tips for all of it.
Re-frame TV/screens in your mind as a parenting tool. Not a kid tool. A parenting tool.
In my home, we see it as a tool that we (the parents) have when we (the parents) need help. It’s a tool.
Think back on my morning: when I make breakfast and set up my day, I use TV as a tool to help me do that. Again, MY tool that I’m using to help ME.
Sometimes, things happen in the day and I need to access my tool again, so I turn the TV back on.
But again, it’s MY tool to use when I need the help. In a perfect day, I only need this help to start the day, get breakfast made, and reset the kitchen to be ready to take on the joys and messes of my family. It’s a perfect day not because I limited screen time to our routine schedule but because it means nothing went array where I needed help from screens to make life function.
Maybe you need this tool more around lunch time.
Maybe you need this tool during that purgatory time between naps and dinner.
Whatever time it is that YOU need screens to help YOU, well – that brings us to our second tip:
Ever move to turn the TV or screen turn off and your child goes ballistic like something from a Wes Craven film?
No judgement, it happens.
With screens, it often happens because kids don’t have a solid routine. They aren’t sure when they’ll get to watch again, they’re nervous this might be off forever, and they don’t handle that scary feeling super well.
Find a time each day and set it as your TV routine.
Just as with all things kids, a predictable schedule breeds comfort and security. This goes for screens too.
When I turn the TV off each day, my kids know it’ll be back on tomorrow morning. They don’t need to worry about it. The sun sets. The moon rises. My parents love me and my mom turns on TV in the morning while she cooks. These are constants in their life that they can hold onto.
They aren’t scared they’ll never see a screen time moment again so they don’t need to yell about it going off.
You can set your routine for any time in the day that makes sense for you family.
Bonus tip: Try using a visual timer. Visual timers make it really clear to kids when a time block is over. Using a visual timer with screens is a great way to keep things consistent and keep everyone on the same page.
Back to the whole “tv is a tool I use” thing: that also means that we (myself and my husband) “control” the TV.
Not in a scary overlord sort of way, but in a gentle, loving, I know what’s best for our family because I’m an adult sort of way. Kind of like how we don’t let them eat candy all day long.
Because TV is my tool to use, it also means that I use it when I need to (always in our predictable time slot, but occasionally again if I need major help).
That also means my kids aren’t allowed to or encouraged to use screen time as a break from their hard play work.
TV isn’t an option when they’re bored. Screens aren’t available as a fall back.
This is my tool to use when I need help, but it’s not my kids’ tool to use.
This goes hand-in-hand with Tip #2: When there is a routine, kids know when to expect screens and they know the boundaries around it. Is it normal for them to still ask for it from time to time and test this boundary? Sure! They do the same thing with candy. It’s totally normal, but it can be lessened by being consistent with the routine.
If you find yourself in a situation where screen time isn’t working for your house…
If you feel like a change in screen time is needed for your family…
If you feel screens are no longer serving a purpose but are instead replacing other parts of life…
Make the change.
And here’s one way to reset, if you’re able too.
Turn off the screens (as much as you can). Start fresh.
This will be hard, difficult, and no-fun at first. Change is hard, but when we know it’s for the betterment of our children and family, we can do almost anything.
This is a two part process: the first part is resetting life. The second part is reintroducing screens in a way to set both you and the child up for success.
Here’s the process that’s worked for my family (yes, even my family) whenever screens were being used so much they weren’t serving a purpose anymore.
Remember: this reset is for families who feel screens are overwhelming their day. If screens replace systemic gaps for your family, like childcare, that’s very different. Read through my tips and find what may work for your family.
If screens are overwhelming your time at home, change up the pace of home. Think about the times when screens are being used (that you want to stop using them at) and go on a driving adventure, take a long walk, head to the beach.
When your child asks for a screen, let them know screens aren’t available today and help them find other things to do. There might be push back. There might be tears. Be resolved in your decision and remember you are doing what you believe (and know) is best for them.
During these days, it would be great if you could show solidarity with your child and also go screen free/greatly limit your phone use at least in front of them.
Keep going with the change of pace activities and distractions from the normal routine where your child fell into extra screen time. The idea is to break the cycle around screens.
Fill up their day with activities, baking, running errands, and anything else that keeps things flowing.
You may notice a change on Day 2 as your child gets more “used” to this new lifestyle without screens or limited screens. They may ask less. They may play more. This is a good thing. You may start to get an idea of where screens will fit great back into your life and spots where you could try something other than a screen (audio books, music, etc).
When you are ready to reintroduce screens, this is the most important part of the process.
Find a set time each day (with a fairly clear start and finish) to do screen time. Predictable schedule. Routine viewing. Possibly using a visual timer. This is like a screen time security blanket.
Make sure to have an ending point set up – this routine can’t drag on for hours. I aim for 30-45 minutes depending on what I’m doing and the level of help/support I need from the screen.
Be brief – this doesn’t need to be a long explanation. You’re the parent. You’ve made a decision that you know if best for your family. There’s no need to make this a big discussion.
“This is when we will have screens today, and every day. Tomorrow, we will do this again at the same time.”
Make a plan for which show to watch next time, if that will help (it often helps here).
Nothing is worse than having your show cut off while you are mid-watching. We don’t like that as adults, so don’t do it to kids.
Let them know when the TV or screen will be turning off. Give them boundaries, give time, give a solid stopping point.
“When this show is over, the TV will be turned off.”
“When the timers goes off, the screen gets put away.”
Make it a very concrete process and make sure to follow through with it.
“Oh yes, I love watching my shows too! This is not TV time right now. We will have it again tomorrow at XXX.”
That’s all we need to say. The boundary is set. The routine is in place.
Make it clear that this is outside the normal routine and WHY you are having them watch.
“I need to go on a work conference call. I will be over there on my call. While I’m on my call, I’d love to invite you to have some extra screen time. When I am off my call, we will turn off the TV.”
Again, we are setting the boundary, setting the TV up as a tool, and setting a parameter for when it will be turned off (this isn’t an all you can watch TV buffet).
Lack of routine around screen time
Fear this will be the end of screen time forever
Being dependent on screens when not needed
Having screens as a choice not a schedule
If it’s important to you, if you’ve noticed it’s time for a screen time change, you can do this.
Sick days happen.Bad days happen. Work calls happen. Deadlines happen. Pandemics happen*.
*As part of pandemic life, my kids (ages 7.5, 6, and 4) started getting another 30 minute TV/screen block in the afternoon while I finished work. In fact, I wrote a lot of this post during that time (fourth wall wink).
Consider this post a general framework for general life.
But things happen and exceptions have to be made – the tool has to be used different – and that’s fine.
When you can, reset back and start again. It’s okay if you have to get back to neutral every now and then (we all do).
Provide alternative family activities indoor and outdoors that are within your children's interests.
Explore new activities to see if your children respond positively.
Watch this video to see what Bing in the Classroom does for kids!
In a world filled with smartphones, tablets, video game systems, and virtual reality, it’s more important than ever that kids get outdoors because lack of exposure to nature impacts their health. According to a number of studies, being in the outdoors can decrease one’s stress level, accelerate healing from an injury or illness, and increase one’s ability to focus—even in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
But as kids have so many alternatives to going outside, they get less exposure to nature—a phenomenon that journalist Richard Louv calls nature deficit disorder. Compared to previous generations, say Louv and Cheryl Charles, founding president of the Children and Nature Network, young people today spend more time studying, participating in structured activities like sports and youth programs, and using computers, and less time engaging in unstructured play outdoors. This is causing an array of negative side effects, including “a dramatic rise in obesity... as well as vitamin D deficiency and other health issues that may in part be related to low levels of outdoor activity and a sedentary lifestyle,” say Louv and Charles.
And kids are exploring the outdoors less, leading to a greater fear of strangers and the outdoors. The lack of time and lack of access to nature in a more urban society lead to young people being less aware of and engaged with nature.
Contact with the environment benefits not just the students but the environment as well—experiencing nature before the age of 11 is linked to developing positive environmental attitudes as adults, according to a University of Cincinnati study.
So children need direct exposure to nature. Given their increased access to technology, can we use technology to enhance that direct exposure?
The answer is yes. User-friendly tools can enhance your students’ learning and encourage them to get outside and connect to the outdoors. If your students are too young to use technology, have them make observations while you record their findings. The below resources are best for second grade and above.
Journey North and Project Noah: These websites allow your students to report sightings (of robins, earthworms, frogs, mushrooms, etc.) and share pictures for a variety of projects or missions that help scientists across the world. Having students focus on an animal they’re already interested in will further promote their commitment to conserving that animal. Journey North and Project Noah also provide excellent lesson plans and activities that can be used in the classroom.
Application: Take your students on a nature walk and have them record organisms at different life cycle stages.
Project Squirrel: This is a great project that can be done at school and at home. Project Squirrel allows your students to become citizen scientists and report their squirrel sightings. Their reports help scientists determine where squirrels are found and whether or not the local environment is changing.
Application: Place different types of foraging food (corn, peanuts, acorns, sunflower seeds) out around the schoolyard and have your students observe and draw conclusions on which foods the squirrels preferred, whether one food was preferred during certain seasons, or whether the squirrel ate the food right away or stored it.
iNaturalist: This tool allow students to submit photos of plants and animals that they cannot identify. Scientists from around the world will identify submissions and share their knowledge. Participation in iNaturalist (iOS, Android) will increase your students’ connection to nature and to people across the world and encourage them to become lifelong learners who are actively involved in the community.
Application: Coordinate a school-wide “bioblitz”—an attempt to record all species in a certain area—and see how many different species your school can record and identify on the property within an hour.
Project FeederWatch: Project FeederWatch will supply your class with a research kit containing a bird identifier and a calendar to report your findings. All you and your class have to do is set up a feeder, bath, or flowers to attract birds and record your findings. The observation schedule is completely up to you and very flexible. Many teachers have found that this project sparks their students’ interest not just in birds but in science as a whole.
Application: Have your students observe birds throughout the year and determine which species are most common during each season—and then connect this to their migration patterns.
Integrating technology in your classroom is a great way to connect your students to nature—increasing their likelihood of becoming environmental stewards and making a positive impact on our planet.
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Connecting children and nature has important health benefits. Studies show outdoor time helps children grow fit and strong bodies, enhances imaginations and attention spans, decreases aggression, and boosts classroom performance. In addition, children who spend time in nature regularly are shown to become better stewards of the environment.
Children are spending half as much time outdoors as they did 20 years ago.
Children who play outside are more physically active, more creative in their play, less aggressive, and show better concentration.
Sixty minutes of daily unstructured free play is essential to children’s physical and mental health.
The most direct route to caring for the environment as an adult is participating in “wild nature activities” before the age of 11.
How to Embrace the Outdoors
When You’re Not Outdoorsy
10 Earth Day Activities to Celebrate Our Planet - HowStuffWorks