APS Family SEL Newsletter
May 22, 2020
"When physical distancing is deemed necessary, social and emotional connectedness is even more critical."
-Karen Niemi, President & CEO, Collaborative for Academic & Social-Emotional Learning
This week's newsletter focuses on tips for helping students to balance screen time during this time in which screens are being used so frequently for both academics and social connection.
I have included videos for the different age groups as well as some resources for caregivers to help set boundaries around screen time.
Jen
Media Balance: Grades K-2
Media Balance: Grades 3-5
How Much Is Too Much Screen Time?: Middle & High School
Family Tips: Help Kids Balance their Media Lives (Grades K-5)
From phones and tablets to streaming movies and YouTube, tech and media are everywhere. Kids love easy access to shows, games, and information. Parents and caregivers love that kids can learn on the go (and stay busy when dinner's cooking). But it's easy to overdo it when the phone never stops pinging and the next episode plays automatically. Families can keep media and tech use in check by following a few simple practices.
How to Set Screen Rules that Stick (All ages)
When it comes to screen time, every family will have different amounts of time that they think is "enough." What's important is giving it some thought, creating age-appropriate limits (with built-in flexibility for special circumstances), making media choices you're comfortable with, and modeling responsible screen limits for your kids. Try these age-based guidelines to create screen rules that stick.
A healthy media diet balances three things: what kids do, how much time they spend doing it, and whether their content choices are age-appropriate. Mixing media and tech time with other activities will help families find that happy medium. Use Common Sense Media's Family Media Agreement and Device Contract to set realistic rules that make sense for your family so you and your kids can make the most out of media and tech time.
Director of Counseling & Social-Emotional Learning Contact Information
Name: Jen Cutler
Email: jcutler@ashland.k12.ma.us
Phone: (774) 410-5184
Twitter: @JenniferCutler5
Facebook: facebook.com/mrscutlersel
Website: https://sites.google.com/ashland.k12.ma.us/ashlandsel/
