The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood has declared May 2-8 as Screen-Free Week. The organization urges families to unplug from digital entertainment and spend free time playing, reading, daydreaming, creating, exploring and connecting with friends and family.
According to the group’s website, “Screen-Free Week is a chance for children—and adults—to power down and reconnect with the world around them.” The group encourages participants to organize a Screen-Free Week for a classroom or school, scout troop, faith community, library or neighborhood association. Tips for minimizing the impact of screens in family life include:
- Rearranging the furniture so the TV is no longer the focal point.
- Creating a morning routine that does not include screens
- Making every family meal a screenfree activity.
- Providing sensory play for children to engage in.
- Exploring the outdoors as a family.
- Creating activity kits for lulls and transition times.
- Limiting parental screen time to model appropriate behavior.
