Tech Guilt – Is feeling guilty about your child’s technology overuse enough?
Following a recent media interview on the negative impact of technology on children, the reporter stated that she “felt guilty” about letting her children use so much technology. As I thought about how to respond, I became aware of my own desire to dismiss or alternatively, to validate her guilt. I wanted to help this […]
Literacy by Grade 3 – Common sense screen management in schools.
In an average month, I receive 10-15 emails from teachers who express grave concerns regarding unrestricted use of technology in schools (see below email from a teacher in Maryland). These emails not only report problematic issues with personal device use such as cell phones, but also overuse of entertainment media including cartoons and movies, as […]
Safe Schools Policy – Best Practice Standards for Screens and Radiation
The Safe Schools Policy – Best Practice Standards for Screens and Radiation was emailed to Canada’s Prime Minister and Canadian provincial Ministers of Health and Education, as well as Health Canada and The Council of Education Ministers, Canada on March 26, 2017 for comment and consideration (click here to see replies). Safe Schools Policy – Best […]
When did we decide that kids shouldn’t move?
School initiatives to enhance child development, behavior and learning. Grab a device and you sit. Put it down and you get up and move around. Devices are increasingly being used as a socially acceptable form of child restraint in both home and school settings. Stopping a child from moving by handing them a device may […]
Sustainable Children – Are they a blast from the past?
Over the past 30 years, I’ve had the unique opportunity as a pediatric occupational therapist to witness profound changes in children. I used to see kids with physical disabilities like cerebral palsy or Down’s Syndrome, but about 15 years ago the referrals changed to motor delays or sensory processing problems. Today my most frequent […]