Ari Zymelman Lecture Series on Parenting Education: Screen-Time Struggles
November 10, 2016 by
While I consider myself to be a capable parent, the topic of technology is one that I want support around. There are websites, articles, and resources on the issue. But where to look next? The answer: JPDS-NC! Next week, the JPDS-NC parent community will gather for the screening of the documentary Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age, followed by facilitated table discussions so that we can share our responses to the film and conceptualize some take-a-ways. I hope you can join us for this important discussion.
What does it mean when, at a tender age, our children can be holding a hand-held computer before they have developed self-control or good judgement or have any idea what is taking place in YouTube? As a parent, I struggle with effective monitoring. In fact, many of us utilize technology time for our children as a time for us to get other things accomplished in our life, rather than sit with them during their screen time. We need to engage in a community conversation about kids and technology. I know that I want to hear about what is working for others and I want to hear your questions. What are other families doing about setting limits? Should we differentiate screen usage between homework and playtime? How much before bedtime does usage effect sleep? When should my child be expected to understand ideas around brain development? Don’t wait until you have teenagers to figure this one out since by then, the kids will be running circles around us. Let’s get up to speed and engage with all our children – no matter their ages – on an important topic that is here to stay in our lives.
Surely, each generation of parents professes how the world is different as they raise their children compared to when they grew up. But our generation’s experience as parents IS vastly different. Our children are digital natives who for whom hand-held technology is commonplace. We live in a time when technology is having profound effects on dynamics in our homes, in our work, in our family, in our lives and in OUR heads. Now that IS a game changer for us as parents. Join us next week so we can learn together and support each other.
JPDS-NC parents are invited to a special screening and discussion of the film “Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age” on Thursday, November 17 at 7:00pm at the North Campus. This event is the start of the Ari Zymelman Annual Lecture Series on Parenting for this school year.
