Me and My Screen: Breaks and Balance

1. What your child learns and why

They notice how they feel before and after screen use and choose a break. Discuss what screens are used for and what else needs room — play, talking and sleep. No blame or imposed limits.

2. Three questions for dinner

• Which screen activity did you enjoy?
• How did you feel before and afterwards?
• What break would you like to try?

3. 10 minutes together, no screen

1. Draw a menu of three favourite breaks: a comfortable stretch, water or looking through a closed window.
2. Let your child choose one; try it together and ask how they feel.
3. Let them choose one sentence for a family moment without devices. Discuss when it would suit you and write it on paper.

4. What success looks like

Your child can name how they feel, choose a break and suggest a family moment. Do not judge a day by the number of blocks.

5. Common difficulties

Unsure how they feel? Give them time without answering for them. They dislike the suggested break? Invite another idea. The agreement is inconvenient? Change it together.

6. Safety

Paper, pencils and comfortable movement on the floor; no heat, knives, outlets or climbing on furniture. The simulation sends and saves nothing. The site’s question mechanism is separate and involves a parent.

7. Where to go next

Before: DB-IB-07 “Our Class's Online Rules” · Next: DB-IB-09 “My Trail Online: What Stays”

Chaput et al., 2020 (English) · Recommends limiting sedentary time, especially recreational screen time; no precise screen limit. Read more (English).

You do not need to know the answers. Say: “Let’s think together.”