Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood

Unplug and Play!

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Contents

Screen-Free Week Overview ................................................................ 3

Lesson 1: During Screen-Free Week I can… ........................................ 4

Lesson 2: Story Time ............................................................................ 6

Lesson 3: Animal Exercises .................................................................. 7

Creating Screen-Free Centers for Early Childhood Education .............. 8

Unplug and Play! Poster ...................................................................... 9

74 Screen-Free Activities .....................................................................10

Chef’s Corner ........................................................................................11

Parent Newsletter ...............................................................................12

Screen-Time Tracker ............................................................................13

Certificate of Completion ....................................................................14

Activity Box and Cards ................................................................... 15-17

Pledge Cards .......................................................................................13

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Screen time is any time spent watching television and videos, playing video and computer games or surfing the Internet. Too much screen time not only replaces physical activity time, it also encourages young people to eat more of the unhealthy, high-calorie foods they see advertised on TV.

Screen-Free Week is an annual celebration encouraging schools, families and communities to turn off the screens and explore other ways to spend time together. It’s a chance for children—and adults—to power down and reconnect with the world around them.

Why is reducing screen time important in early childhood?Playing computer and tablet games, watching television and going online are fun activities but too much screen time can impact children’s social and physical development. Parents and child-care providers are important role models and gate-keepers for screen time for young children.

Pediatricians recommend no screen time for children under the age of 2 and limiting screen time to no more than two hours per day for children over 2 years old.

Sharing activities in child-care settings such as playing games, reading a book and exploring the outdoors are fun alternatives to screen time.

Using the Get Unplugged! ToolkitThis year the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) is working with early childhood education centers statewide to promote and celebrate 2016 Screen-Free Week. The Get Unplugged! toolkit that follows is filled with ideas for ways to turn off the screens and create an active child-care center.

Screen-Free Week Overview

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Did you know?• By the time they are 65 years old,

the average American will have spent nine years of their lives watching television.

• Children watch an average of 27 hours of TV per week. By high school graduation, teens will have spent more time watching television than going to school.

• Children who watch the most number of hours of television per day have the highest prevalence of obesity.

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Lesson One: During Screen-Free Week I can…

In celebration of Screen-Free Week, we are sharing activities that you can do away from screens. Screen time is any time spent watching TV, videos or DVDs. Screen time also includes time spent playing video games or using computers and handheld devices such as tablets. Too much screen time can lead to poor sleep habits, eating unhealthy foods and declines in academic performance.

Make the commitmentThe first step in making a commitment is to understand why Screen-Free Week is important, and why it’s crucial to help youth (and ourselves) reduce time with screens.

MaterialsCrayons or colored pencils, coloring sheet

Instructions for Coloring SheetUsing the coloring sheet to draw how you are going to spend your time during Screen-Free Week. Examples: Help make a healthy snack, jump rope, play with friends, etc.

Discussion Questions • What activities can you do outside that are screen free?

• What activities can you do inside that are screen free?

• What activities can you do on rainy days that are screen free?

• Who can you play with to do screen-free activities?

• What books can you read when you are being screen free?

• What games can you play when you are being screen free?

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Lesson Two: Story Time

This week we are celebrating Screen-Free Week. During this week, kids across the state are reading the book “Doug Unplugged” and trading screen time for activity time. With the Screen-Free Week initiative, children, families and communities around the world will rediscover the joys of life beyond the screen. Unplug from digital entertainment and spend your free time playing, reading, daydreaming, creating, exploring and connecting with family and friends.

Instructions for Story Time:1. Obtain copy of Doug Unplugged or watch the preview at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8b1uOnQheA.

2. Before story time begins, ask a few questions:

i. Who enjoys playing on the computer, watching television or working on a tablet?

ii. What other activities do you like to do that do not involve a screen?

3. After you have read the book, ask students the following questions:

i. What did you think when Doug decided to unplug himself and explore?

ii. Where would you like to explore?

iii. What kind of things can we explore when we are away from our screens?

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When we are not spending time in front of screens like computers, tablets and televisions, we have more time for physical activities. Being physically active is an important part of being healthy — we should aim for at least one hour of physical activity each day.

Materials Needed:• 1 CD of upbeat (child friendly) music, or if you do

not have a CD try this: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwWT43Eb3IM) (the monitor should be turned off, so the music can still be playing but the screen is off)

Instructions1. Before the activity begins, ask a couple questions:

i. What are your favorite animals?

ii. Why do you like your favorite animal?

iii. Which kinds of animals are fast? slow? climb? hop? swim?

2. Its game time!

i. Have the students walk around the room or in a circle.

ii. Call out an animal activity (bounce like a kangaroo, hop like a bunny, leap like a lemur).

iii. Every time a new animal activity is given, the students must switch and do that activity.

iv. Alternate between calling out animal activities and starting and stopping the music. Whenever the music stops playing, the participants must freeze in place.

v. Whoever is caught moving after the music has stopped is out of the game.

Lesson Three: Animal Exercises

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Creating Screen-Free Childcare Centers

It is important to engage parents and families to start screen-free habits at home. Use the posters and newsletters in this kit to educate families about reducing daily screen time.

PostersInstructions: Hang the posters on Page 9 in your classroom and on bulletin boards to encourage parents and families to get unplugged!

Screen-Free Week PolicyCelebrate Screen-Free Week all year with a centerwide policy limiting screen time.

Screen-Time Policy: Because we care about the health and well-being of the children in our care, we follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ screen-time recommendations:

Unplug and Play!

Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood

• No screen time for children under the age of 2

• Limit screen time to no more than two hours per day for children over 2 years old

Unplug and Play!

Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood

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INSIDE1) Draw family portraits.

2) Write a letter to your grandparents.Draw them a picture.

3) Cook dinner with your parents.

4) Write a story.

5) Read a book.

6) Make birthday cards for your friends.

7) Start a journal or diary.

8) Paint a picture.

9) Invent a new game. Teach it to your friends.

10) Learn to play a musical instrument. Make up a song.

11) Make up a new board game and teach it to others.

12) Do instant recess activities such as sit-ups, jumping jacks or push-ups.

13) Have a family game night.

14) Make crafts and give them as gifts to friends and family.

15) Design a poster for Screen-Free Week.

16) Research your family history. Make a family tree.

17) Plan a slumber party or your next birthday party.

18) Make puppets from old socks and put on a puppet show.

19) Put together a puzzle.

20) Start a diary or journal.

21) Build a fort in your living room

22) Create a collage out of pictures from old magazines.

23) Play a game of checkers or chess.

24) Look at old photographs of your parents and family members, then make a scrapbook.

25) Make a necklace, bracelet or keychain.

26) Play hide and seek.

27) Dress up in halloween costumes and perform a play for your family.

28) Play a card game (Go Fish is fun!) or learn a new card game.

29) Learn a magic trick.

30) Have a tea party.

31) Make homemade Play-Doh

32) Blow bubbles.

OUTDOORS33) Create sidewalk art with chalk.

34) Have a yard sale.

35) Take your dog for a walk.

36) Play tag with friends.

37) Go bird watching.

38) Go on a bike ride.

39) Climb a tree.

40) Stargaze: How many constellations can you find?

41) Make an obstacle course using jump ropes, balls and chairs. Have a relay race.

42) Help your parents wash their car.

43) Fly a kite.

44) Start a garden.

45) Put up a lemonade stand in your front yard.

46) Visit and get to know your neighbors.

47) Camp out in your backyard for the night.

48) Organize a neighborhood scavenger hunt.

49) Play tag or hopscotch.

50) Create a garden in your backyard

51) Go on a hike.

52) Play on a playground.

53) Race your siblings or friends to the end of the block and back.

54) Throw a football or play catch with a ball.

55) Kick around a soccer ball or shoot hoops with a basketball.

56) Collect leaves from a tree.

57) Go on a bug hunt.

58) Paint some rocks with watercolors.

59) Visit the beach.

60) Family relay race

61) Family talent night/show

IN THE COMMUNITY62) Go on a nature walk at the park.

63) Join a sports team.

64) Go swimming at your local pool.

65) Visit the zoo or a museum.

66) Have a picnic or a cookout at the park.

67) Go to a live sports game.

68) Go ice skating or roller skating.

69) Go to a museum.

70) Visit your public library and stock up on some good books.

71) Take cooking, jewelry-making or singing lessons.

72) Attend a local concert. Watch a band play.

73) Volunteer at and/or visit a community garden.

74) Go to a farmers’ market or visit a pick-your-own farm.

74ways to be

Screen-Free10+ activity ideas for every day of the week!

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Chef’s Corner

During Screen-Free Week, invite kids into the kitchen! Kids are more likely to try new foods that they have helped make. Time in the kitchen is an opportunity to practice motor skills when stirring, pouring or kneading and young chefs can learn more about where food comes from and how meals are made.

Easy Pizza (serves 8) Ingredients

4 English Muffins (split them apart)1/2 cup of tomato sauce1 teaspoon oregano4 ounces low-fat mozzarella cheeseOptional: Add 1 cup of your choice of veggies!

Utensils:• Knives• Measuring spoons• Plates• Microwave or toaster oven

Directions:1. Split English muffins in half2. Spread 1/2 tablespoon tomato sauce on each half3. Sprinkle each half with a pinch of oregano4. Top with 1/2 ounce of mozzarella cheese5. Put in toaster oven for 2-4 minutes or microwave

as needed to get warm, melted cheese.

Fruit Skewers (serves 8) Ingredients:

4 cups of a variety of four fresh fruit options (apples, bananas, grapes, pineapple or fruits that are in season)

8 ounces of low-fat vanilla yogurt 1/3 teaspoon of cinnamon

Utensils:• Knife• Cutting board• Plastic toothpicks or skewers• Mixing bowl• Mixing spoon

Directions:1. Clean fruit2. Cut fruit into small pieces3. Arrange neatly on a platter4. Optional: Place fruit pieces on skewer and serve

on a plate with a dollop of yogurt or serves pieces as a fruit salad in a bowl with a dollop of yogurt.

5. Sprinkle skewers, fruit bowls and yogurt with cinnamon

2. Its game time!

i. Have the students walk around the room or in a circle.

ii. Call out an animal activity (bounce like a kangaroo, hop like a b

More healthy kid-friendly recipes are located on healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/

recipes/recipes-child-care-providers

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It’s Screen-Free Week– a week when everyone is challenged to take a healthy break away from screens such as TVs, tablets, computers, video games, etc., and spend some time being active and/or doing something else you love!

Too much screen time not only displaces time that youth could spend being physically active, it also encourages them to eat more of the unhealthy, high-calorie foods that they see advertised. It is important that children and families be encouraged to be screen-free and engage more in physical activities.

Pediatrician recommendations • No screen time for children under the age

of 2.

• Limited screen time to no more than two hours per day for children over 2 years old.

• American Association of Pediatrics recommends that parents create an electronic-media free environment in child’s bedroom.

10 ways to be Screen Free1) Organize a family or classroom paint party.

2) Be a role model and play!

3) Read a story to your child or students.

4) Host one of your child’s friends for a play date.

5) Create your own storybook.

6) Have a board/ card game day.

7) Create a relaxation vacation.

8) Take a field trip to a local museum.

9) Cook a favorite meal or recipe passed down from previous generations.

10) Visit the local library.

Parent Newsletter

Did you know?• Infant exposure to television

has been linked to delayed language development and kindergarten readiness skills.

• Early exposure to TV has also been connected to sleep problems.

• Children who watch the most number of hours

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Screen-Time Tracker

TV Video Games DVD/Movie Computer/iPad Daily TotalMonday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

S=Start Time

F=Finish Time

T=Total

Weekly Total Screen Time Hours

Fill in your total screen time in each column:

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Create an Activity Box and Cards

The Activity BoxWith the help of their teachers or parents, students should create an activity box that showcases their classroom’s or family’s personality. The box will contain activity cards to be used during TV commercial breaks or other break times.

Creating the Activity Box:

Materials:

Shoe box or copier paper box

Scissors

Glue

Construction paper

Markers, crayons and/or paint

Directions:

• The teacher or parent should cut open a fist-wide flap/opening at the top or the side of the box so a child’s hand can fit inside to grab an activity card.

• The teacher or parent should cut out the activity cards from page 16 of the Screen-Free Week packet.

• Have the students color and decorate the box.

• Finally, when the box has been decorated, the place the activity cards inside.

• The teacher or parent can assign who gets to pick the activity for the break time however he or she sees fit. It is a fun way to keep students active and engaged during Screen-Free Week!

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Screen-Free Activity CardsIt’s time to unplug and play, imagine, create, explore and spend time with family and friends!

Make a collection

Jump rope

Recycle Write a story

Walk the dog

Blow bubbles

Play with toys

Makebelieve

Slide Swing

Illustrations: mycutegraphics.com

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Screen-Free Activity CardsIt’s time to unplug and play, imagine, create, explore and spend time with family and friends!

Puppet show

Read a book

Fly a kite

Dig indirt

Clean Play withyour pet

Plant flowers

Paint a picture

Discover insects

Play with a ball

Illustrations: mycutegraphics.com

Pledge CardI, ____________________________________________pledge that during the week of ___________________ ,I will only use screens when they are required for school.

I will not: 1) watch TV or videos, 2) play games on tablets, websites, phones or consoles, 3) surf the web or 4) use social media.

Instead of spending time with screens, I will:

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

Remember to encourage your friends and family to go screen-free!

Screen-Free Week is a program of Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood

www.screenfree.org

qUNPLUG AND PLAY!

www.vfhy.org • 701 E. Franklin St., Suite 500 • Richmond, VA 23219 • (804) 786-2523