Screen Time Strategies for Older Kids
The heat and the smoke might be forcing more time indoors, but that doesn't mean your kids have to mindlessly absorb hours of screen time. In my last article, I provided some suggestions for making this last month of summer count while still enjoying these warm and relaxed days of hiding inside and watching TV with your younger children. Here are some tips for older children.
First, I would use some or all of the same strategies as my last article but make them more age appropriate. I have to warn you that your older children may not appreciate being given tasks or having questions asked about their TV shows and movies, but I believe it will be beneficial for everyone and they may grow to enjoy your daily conversations or assignments about what they watched. Remember, this involves taking an interest in what your children are watching and actually stepping out of our own busy lives temporarily.
Listen, talk, ask. Sit down with your child and learn about their shows. Ask who their favorite character is and why, ask them about the choices and decisions they make, was that a good or a bad idea? Would you do that? Why or why not? Has that ever happened to you? What would you do, or what would you do differently?
Assign a daily screen time task. This might apply more for kids who are home all day and watching more TV, like mine, but it’s always worth a try, especially if you want to get those brains working again in preparation for school.
Journal for 15 minutes about what you watched today. What was it, did you like it, what was the best and worst part, if you could be a writer for this show or movie what might you do differently? (Optional: discuss the journal entry!)
Favorite movie or TV show research project. Pick one series or movie and complete a project on it, like a book report, but instead a TV report. Your child can learn about where the show was filmed, who wrote and directed it, who are the main characters, what is the main idea, what are the series of events, what is the conclusion or finale, and share their thoughts on what they liked or didn’t like, how the show could have been better, etc. They can create a character to fit into the show. What would their character contribute? How are they vital to the show? What is their personality like? Can they draw them?
Require 30 minutes to an hour of educational screen time. Planet Earth, documentaries, or science, history, musical, or cultural shows. Here’s the catch! You have to watch and learn too! If i were to tell my kids they were to sit down and watch a documentary they would moan and groan and slink to the floor complaining and not pay attention. But if I sat on the couch with them, brought a yummy snack, and engaged with them during, I have a feeling it would quickly turn into the best part of their day.
Good luck with your new screen time tasks and enjoy the rest of your summer!
