Disconnect to Connect!

Once again it's time for...

     The idea behind screen free week is for families to “rediscover the joys of life away from screens." The Screen Free organization believes as we do at BTBL that a childhood should include play, which invites exploration, expands imagination and builds creativity. Children need play to feed their curiosity and make sense of their world through hands-on interactions and what better way than to set an example and take time to play with the whole family. A Pew Survey finds that it is the households with children that own the most multiple gadgets and that these are most used to communicate and connect, which can be a positive thing but they can also distract us from what’s important; our children. I know that when I go out to the park with my daughter, which now that spring is here seems to be an almost daily activity, I use my phone to take photos of her and send them to family members. Just don’t get distracted and start reading your emails and text messages and ignore your child. Use the time together to play and explore.

     We understand that completely disconnecting from all gadgets for an entire week may be an impossibility, so perhaps choose to disconnect from those devices that distract you and keep you disconnected from family. We feel that everyone needs a break from the electronic devices that have become such an integral part of every day life so take the leap and try to unplug for the week!

     Even if you don’t unplug for the whole week, consider unplugging for a time to:

• Read a book
• Read aloud to someone else
• Engage in something artsy (color, paint, draw, sculpt, carve…)
• Get involved with BTBL Rocks!
• Play a board game
• Put together a puzzle
• Sew, knit, crochet, etc.
• Try a new recipe
• Host a tea party
• Make playdough or slime
• Listen to music and dance
• Put on a play
• Set up a pretend restaurant
• Build a fort
• Take a walk outdoors
• Go on a picnic
• Make a fairy garden
• Visit the beach
• Explore a new park
• Visit a botanical garden
• Sit outdoors and listen to the sounds of nature
• Lay on a blanket and look at the clouds
• Just sit outdoors and day dream

     This year Screen Free Week coincides with the 100th anniversary of Children's Book Week, the "annual celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading." In honor of both occasions and in an attempt to get your kids on board with the idea of spending more time unplugged from their gadgets and gizmos, consider reading aloud the following titles during the week:

Doug Unplugged by Dan Yaccarino

TEK The Modern Cave Boy by Patrick McDonnell

hello! hello! by Matthew Cordell

Goodnight Ipad by Ann Droyd

When Charlie McButton Lost Power by Suzanne Collins

Dot. by Randi Zuckerberg

It's a Book by Lane Smith

If You Give A Mouse An iPhone: A Cautionary Tale by Ann Droyd

Unplugged by Steve Antony

Blackout by John Rocco

Run Wild by David Covell

Aunt Chip and the Great Triple Creek Dam Affair by Patricia Polacco

For additional information on unplugging, take a look at our previous blog Unplug This Summer!.

So, unplug, disconnect, and get back to basics this Screen Free and Children's Book Week!

-Kate @ BTBL

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Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest editions, a daughter for Kate (now 3) and a son for Amanda (now 1.) We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.