This is a strange time of year, isn’t it? The summer is drawing to a close, trips have been taken, and truthfully, a lot of parents are relieved when their kids have screen time. However, they’re also concerned with getting their kids’ brains up and running again for school. The good news is that a little of the right kind of screen time can help ease the back to school transition, and also set up good habits for the entire year.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- No kid wants to give up their freedom or fun before they have to. A bit of screen time affords them both, while easing them back into the routine of learner.
- There are lots of games and apps that help kids brush up on math and literacy, but it’s also important to help them get their general thinking skills up to snuff, along with their creativity and communication. Screen time that works on skills like these feels a little less like homework, but still benefits all areas of the curriculum.
- Look for games and apps with persistence, that let your kid save their work and hold onto progress and ideas. Having the option to come back to their work once the school year has begun can be invaluable, whether it’s for reference or just for fun.
- Get your kid hooked on learning games and apps that will serve them throughout the school year. When they need a break from homework, they’ll have something that lets them switch gears, but still challenges them.
- Be sure to involve your kids when choosing games and apps to load up their devices. Set the expectation that their screen time will need to have a learning component, but take their interests and learning style into account. There really is something out there for everyone!