How much screen time is too much? Not all screen time is created equal. There’s a big difference between an hour spent playing video games and an hour spent learning vocabulary from a smartphone app or composing music online. That’s not to say that everything has to be stamped “educational” to provide an enriching experience. With any screen media you choose for your kids — movies, games, TV shows, and apps — you want to look for ​how it engages your child. And, although there’s nothing wrong with a little mindless entertainment, you can maximize your kid’s screen time if you consider the “four C’s”: Connection, Critical Thinking, Creativity, & Context. Visit Canyons School District’s “Digital Wellness” page to learn more.

Happy Holidays!

Digital Citizenship Month/Week
*Draper Park will participate in White Ribbon Week/Digital Citizenship Week on March 21st-24th*

Are today’s kids addicted to technology? Are we? From smart phones to social media to video-games, media and tech have become a huge part of our families’ lives. The ability to be constantly connected can affect schoolwork, relationships, and concentration. The challenge is figuring out how to get the most from technology without letting it get out of control. Learn more about how to identify problematic media use, the downfalls of multitasking, finding balance, and what to do if you have serious concerns. Visit commonsensemedia.org/technology-addiction.​

From phones and tablets to streaming movies and YouTube, tech and media are everywhere. Kids love easy access to shows, games, and information. Parents and caregivers love that kids can learn on the go (and stay busy when dinner’s cooking), but it’s easy to overdo it when the phone never stops pining and the next episode plays automatically. Families can keep media and tech use in check by following a few simple practices. (www.commonsense.org/education). 

It may seem obvious that eating dinner with your family is a good thing. Research provides plenty of support for the importance of family dinner for kids: Learning vocabulary, fewer behavior problems, less substance abuse, and healthier eating are some of the positive outcomes.
So, when you have a family dinner, commit to putting devices away from those 30 minutes (or, if you have small children, the six minutes of dinner!). Learn more about device-free dinners at commonsensemedia.org/device-free-dinner.

Parents know firsthand the impact a poor night’s sleep has on kids. Lack of sleep can contribute to crankiness, problems with attention and learning, behavior issues, and even health problems such as obesity. Though the reasons for poor sleep vary, there’s growing evidence that media and technology interfere with bedtime routines and sleep. Learn more from Common Sense about how to help your kid get a good night’s sleep. 

We balance the food we eat to stay healthy. We also need to balance our media use. Media includes the shows and videos we watch, the video games and apps we play, and the music we listen to. Try completing a media balance checkup with your family to determine together if the way your family uses media feels balanced and healthy. For this Common Sense activity, visit cnyns.org/3iXRoJH.

Happy Summer Break!