16 AUGUST 23, 2018 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
BACK TO SCHOOL
Kids and screens: Not all screen time is created equal
Screen time. You've heard the
phrase before, and if you're a
parent, you've probably agonized
over creating a screen time policy for
your family. You understandably want
a policy that refl ects your family values,
and you also want to consider your
child's wants, needs and expectations.
The American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP), a go-to resource for parents on
screen time guidelines, has determined
that not all screen time is created equal.
New research is changing the way parents
look at screen time, and challenging
parents to examine the quality of the
time spent in front of devices. Quality
is especially important when your children
are seeking screen-based entertainment
- games, shows, social media - and
this is where family policies get tricky.
How much online entertainment is
too much? Can there be too little? The
team at Star Stable Online - makers of
the world's most popular online, horse
adventure game - recommends parents
get involved with their children's
online activity, monitor their online
behavior, explore their favorite games,
shows and activities, and create a family
screen policy that is more than just
"hours or minutes."
The conversation around screen
time is less about time and more
about active digital engagement. If
you do not recognize all the activities
they're enjoying online, this is a great
opportunity to ask questions and
create a dialogue about their digital
habits. To help you determine whether
your child is enjoying quality screen
time, the team at Star Stable Online
recommends these questions to get
the conversation started:
* Do you interact with other kids
online? This question helps you determine
if the child is building social
skills in a safe, online environment.
Parents must determine if the game
or online activity promotes positive
social and collaborative play. Star
Stable believes collaborative play,
along with a safe environment, is
more beneficial and inspires kids
to become content creators, not just
passive media consumers.
* Do you solve problems in the
game? This question helps you determine
how the child interacts with
the game and what he/she learns from
playing. Determine if your child faces
challenges in an environment that is
constantly changing and expanding,
forcing them to adapt. Find out if they
need to use their best reasoning skills
to complete challenges independently
or as a team. Star Stable believes that
unique challenges that force kids to
think outside the box are preferable
to games that serve up constant
repetition.
* What does success look like and
how do you feel when you succeed?
This line of questioning helps you
determine if the game is building
your child's personal character. Does
the game include storylines and activities
that promote responsibility and
respect for others? If your child interacts
with other players, ask how that
makes him/her feel (happy, motivated,
helpful or strong).
* Have you learned new vocabulary
while playing the game? This question
helps you determine if reading is a big
part of the game or if it's all visuals.
Reading is a fundamental life skill and
any screen time your child is involved
in should provide an element of age-appropriate
reading. This will push your
child to expand their vocabulary and
even help to grow a lifelong love of
reading.
* Have you learned anything about
money management? While this
seems like an odd question, screen
time solutions should do more than
simply provide children a way to
spend money, they should teach kids
how to manage money or currency. It's
not a "must" for all screen time choices,
but games or activities that provide
a weekly allowance certainly help
reinforce money management skills
(spend, save and budget).
Courtesy BPT
REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL
We anticipate available seating in all Grades
*New Students Enrollment Day! - admission exam for Grades 1-8
Wednesday, August 29 29
9 – 10 a.m.
Redeemer Lutheran School
R
O
C
K
S
A GREAT FAMILY SCHOOL - EARLY CHILDHOOD LE VELS
SMALL CLASS SIZES - INDIVIDUALIZED ATTENTION
6926 Cooper Avenue, Glendale, NY 718-821-6670 rlgschool.org
(Western Queens only Lutheran Elementary School)
We Care and We Prepare! All Faiths Welcomed
Redeemer Lutheran School provides a safe, exciting, Christian, academic environment to nurture the body, mind and spirit.
69-26 COOPER AVENUE, GLENDALE, NY 11385 �� 718-821-6670
www.rlgschool.org
Kindergarten
Middle School Levels
Grades 5-8
Departmentalized
Nursery
3-yr olds
Primary School Levels
Grades 1-4
Free UPK for All
4 yr olds
/www.rlgschool.org
