We all know that less is more when it comes to kids and screen time, but in today’s world, it’s hard to avoid. Students relied heavily on computers and tablets during the pandemic, and society has become more technology-driven in general. Completely disconnecting middle and high schoolers is unrealistic.
However, there are ways to make the time they spend on a computer, tablet, or smartphone more productive and educational. They don’t have to be mindlessly watching or scrolling. Be more intentional about how they use the time you allow them.
Watch or Listen to Something Educational
Scope out documentaries or podcasts about topics your child is interested in. Spark their curiosity for history, space, technology, art, music, architecture, and much more. This can be a great way to help them think about the future and types of careers or classes they might want to pursue. Encourage them to watch a video about Picasso and then try to replicate his style of art. Listening to a podcast discussion might help them come up with questions of their own they want to research more in-depth.
Play Educational Games
Not every video game has to be educational, but there are tons of online resources to help students practice subjects like math, science, or language arts in a gamified way. They’re having fun and building their skills without even realizing it. Bookmark a few websites so they have options to choose from or ask their teacher for recommendations.
Use Interactive Apps
The next time your family goes on a hike, identify different types of plants, trees, flowers, birds, and insects using an app on your phone. This can help your child to slow down and be more observant of the things around them while also learning about what they find. You can also try geocaching where you must find your way to a specific GPS location to discover what others have hidden. You could even leave a treasure of your own for the next seeker.
Learn to Code
Coding is a skill that can benefit your child now and in the future. Encourage them to develop a website, design a video game, or create animations. There are also kits you can get where kids program robots or cars to move in certain ways or to complete different tasks.
Not into coding? They can practice their typing skill to write their story or movie script. Let them research a topic of interest and expand on that in a creative way to show you what they’re learning. They could also produce their own video or make a slideshow presentation.
Screen time can be both fun and educational. It’s all about balance and finding what works best for your child and your family. Get involved and learn along with your child so you can be more engaged with what they’re doing. Reinforce key skills and foundational knowledge with help from Crafting Scholars. Whether your child is learning in person, virtually, or is homeschool, we offer individualized support to bridge gaps and boost their potential across a wide range of subjects. Contact us today to learn more!