Me and My Screen: Breaks and Balance
How do you feel before and after screen time? Today you will notice that and choose a break you like. Screens can be for learning, playing, creating or talking. Think about what else you want room for in your day.
For parents: a one-page guide — dinner questions and a break menu.
01Remember
Think first, then open the answer.
What makes a rule clear in IB-07?
It says what to do.
How do you explain your rule from IB-07?
I give my reason and listen to others.
When looking for an idea online as in IB-05, what can you ask?
Who wrote it and what supports it?
02Story
In this made-up story, a child draws on a tablet after school. Before starting, they think: “I want to invent a funny animal. I feel curious.” They draw wings, erase them and try a different pair. They enjoy being able to change the picture.
When the drawing is finished, they pause: “How do I feel now?” They would like to carry on, but notice they also want to stand up. An unfinished paper card is on the table. They can choose something else without deciding that the tablet is bad.
The child leaves the drawing for later, takes a sip of water and stretches comfortably. Then they notice how they feel again. “Now I want to finish the card,” they decide. On another day they might choose another break.
That evening, they show the picture to a parent: “I liked drawing. I also want room for outdoor play, talking and sleep.” Together they discuss a moment they would enjoy without devices. The child suggests one sentence for tomorrow. It is an invitation they can change together.
03Worked example
- Before: “I want to play. How do I feel now?”
- After: “I enjoyed the game. Now I feel like moving.”
- I choose: “I will stretch comfortably, then notice how I feel again.”
This is one possible choice, not a rule for everyone. Which break would you choose?
04Try it now
This activity works offline and neither sends nor saves your choices. Reloading starts it over. There are no points, timer or rankings.
1 · Predict
What would you like in an imaginary day? Think privately about how you feel before a screen activity.
2 · Run: my day
Press a button to add a block at the end. You can repeat an activity. Blocks show order, not hours or recommended amounts. Make up a day rather than entering a personal diary.
What would you like more of?
3 · Change
Remove the last block or start again and try another order. Is there room for play, family, eating and sleep? There is no correct arrangement. After your next screen activity, notice how you feel again and choose a break.
05No screen: a break menu
Take paper and pencils. Draw three breaks you like: a comfortable stretch, water, looking through a closed window or a chat with a grandparent when convenient. Choose one, try it and notice how you feel afterwards.
Stay on the floor without climbing on furniture. Choose activities without heat, knives or electrical outlets.
06Make your own
Choose one sentence for a family screen-free moment. For example: “I would like us to put devices aside at dinner and talk.” Write your own version on paper and show a parent. Discuss whether and when it would suit you. You can change it together.
07What I learned
I notice how I feel before and after screen time. I choose a break and notice again. I can ask for room for things I enjoy and for sleep.
1. What do I notice?
2. Which break do I choose?
3. What do I do with my family sentence?
It is yours when you can say how you feel and choose a break. No points, streaks or rankings.
08I have a question
Do you still have a question? Write it here. It goes to your parent, not to strangers. Your parent confirms their e-mail first.
The form is loading… If it does not appear, write your question on paper and show it to a parent or teacher.
00Sources
- Title: Me and My Screen: Breaks and Balance (DB-IB-08) · Author: Children’s Library, East Accelerator Foundation · Source: original text, story and activities, 2026 · Rights: CC BY-SA 4.0.
- For adults: Chaput et al. (2020), physical activity and sedentary behaviour, ages 5–17 · factual background: recommends limiting sedentary time, particularly recreational screen time; sets no precise screen-time limit. The break ideas here are suggestions.
- Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Children's Library, East Accelerator Foundation, 2026. You may share and adapt this lesson if you credit the author and keep the same licence. Learning is free forever.