When I was in elementary school we had one week that was a no screens week. At that time we weren't surrounded by TVs, computers, cell phones, etc. Most of us only had TVs with a couple of channels. Cable was a luxury as were video games. I don't remember exactly what it was called but that's what it amounted to for us - no screens week. The purpose was to encourage us to read more and at the end of the week we had a pizza party or some other reward. I remember dreading it at first but I ended up loving it. Sure I hated missing my favorite TV shows but we played more board games, card games, played OUTSIDE, and just seemed to have more fun as a family. I survived.
I recently read a blog post about a family that the children do not watch TV. That is unless it is football season and their "well-hidden TV comes to live whenever a game is on!"
As I thought about this, I realized my daughter is surrounded by screens. If I listed all of the screens in our home your jaw would drop. Mine did! I am sitting here with the laptop on my lap while watching "How the States Got Their Shapes."
My screen free challenge seemed clear: computer and phones had to be off for all of us. Sure I could have computer/TV time after she went to bed if I wanted but I think it will be good for all of us. Oh. My. Gosh. I just realized all social media will be completely off limits!
National Young Readers Week is coming up November 10-14th and would be perfect time to do this! Unfortunately we have family and friends coming to stay with us that week, so I'm not sure we will be successful with no screens that week. If we don't do it that week, it will definitely be completed soon as possible!
