April 20-26th is Turnoff Week. That’s right…it’s time to cut the cord, folks. Just for a week. Give it a try…
Let the TVs and video systems go dark for the week. Limit computer use to necessary work and school activities whenever possible. Join people across the globe as they take back the enormous blocks of time that our plug-in devices are stealing from us — that we are GIVING THEM all too willingly! Instead, spend time reconnecting with family and friends in meaningful, face-to-face ways.
We’ve discussed screen-time here on several occasions, and it is without a doubt one of the chief barriers to unstructured play and outdoor time in the lives of today’s children. (And we grown-ups, too!) So here are a few ideas to get you started. Of course, you are only limited by your imagination. Make Turnoff Week your own!
An Idea a Day to Keep the Screen Away:
- Have a cookout! Still snow on the ground where you live? Have an indoor picnic.
- Have game night. Break out the cards and boards games and have some old fashion fun. Or, if the budget allows, pick out a new family game to master.
- Go for a nice long walk after dinner. Stop and chat with neighbors you might not have seen all winter while we were all holed-up.
- Take a trip to the library and everyone pick out a book. If age appropriate, get a book that you can read together as a family.
- Visit a local nature center for a program. They often have evening programs on stargazing, night hikes, and nocturnal wildlife.
- Take a day trip! Go hiking, biking, or to visit a nearby museum. Just get out there! (Weekend)
- Start a backyard garden or container garden, or spend time in one you already have. (Weekend)
No matter what you do, make a real effort to unplug and reconnect. See if you notice any difference in your mood, or those of your children. Or changes in their behavior or sleep patterns. Don’t worry — the TV isn’t going anywhere. And you all know that thanks to TiVo and web-streaming, you can catch-up on just about everything you will miss. But who knows, you just might find that you don’t MISS a thing!
See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru
photo credit: dionhinchcliffe
RT@balmeras New post @ The Grass Stain Guru: 7 Activity Ideas for Turnoff Week http://bit.ly/br2Ny #screentime #playoutdoors
RT @balmeras New post @ The Grass Stain Guru: 7 Activity Ideas for Turnoff Week http://bit.ly/br2Ny #screentime #playoutdoors
RT @balmeras: New post @ The Grass Stain Guru: 7 Activity Ideas for Turnoff Week http://bit.ly/br2Ny #screentime #playoutdoors
@Climateclass Thanks for the RT, Jan. My Turnoff Week post:7 Activity Ideas for Turnoff Week http://bit.ly/br2Ny #screentime #playoutdoors
Favor – can someone try & post a comment on my blog? @rkesten tried 2x & it won’t go through. http://bit.ly/br2Ny (thanks!)
@balmeras: http://bit.ly/br2Ny Good blog! Hope my comment went through. : )
There is a growing feeling among educators that kids have little experience problem-solving with their minds and hands, and it often shows in the classroom and in their lives. Thanks for including the “action step” with alternatives!
Thank you Bethe for your help in getting the word out on TURNOFF WEEK…a time for us all to take stock in our relationships with other people, nature and the world around us.
Along with the 7 ideas you suggested, I think TURNOFF WEEK is a great time to put music in your life. If you play, get your family and friends to gather their instruments and jam. Make a pasta dinner, and then play the night away.
For those who don’t have instruments, pull out the pots and pans and make your own. Get your family together and create your own drum circle with whatever you have in the kitchen.
If you are a little more ambitious, consider writing your own songs, collectively, and then record them, or make your own music videos. It is always better to “do” things than simply “view” them.
Let your creativity flow this TURNOFF WEEK, discover things about yourself, those you love and enjoy. TURNOFF WEEK is a time to relish the things around you, take time for them and yourself.
Don’t spend another minute living your life through people on the screen. Life your life in real time, in real space, it really is worth it.
http://www.screentime.org for more information.
Excellent post, Bethe!
Great idea – then join us and don’t have a TV at all!
Colin
It is a bit frightening to think about the way we seem to find it acceptable to sit glued in front of televisions and computers these days. Even if you don’t go outdoors or somewhere else, the very act of turning them off and conversing and listening can go such a long way to bringing you closer as a family. Sitting side by side watching a movie is nice; but real bonding comes from interchange of opinions and ideas. And amazingly enough, kids DO have opinions; and they are often really interesting ones. Great post!
Thanks for a great post. Let’s be sure it is all the little screens, too. The Blackberry, the cell phone. Realistically, that might just be one hour a day. The whole family together. This could establish a real habit that can last past the week.
When I interviewed Robert Kesten (www.screentime.org) he said that, without a doubt, it is the adults, particularly fathers, who want to turn things on after the week. We need to look to ourselves.
I’m not sure I could separate from my laptop for an entire week. I know that sounds weird, but so much of my work is online now. Probably wouldn’t miss television at all, but I’d miss my Internet.
Great idea!!
Those are great suggestions! My mom outlawed the “B-word” in our house when we were young: bored. If we said it – she find a chore for us to do. So we became very inventive with our time! I rarely watch TV anymore – trading it for time on the computer. I’m NEVER bored when I give up screen time. Usually, I’m in awe about all the things I’m missing and wishing I didn’t have to get back to it. I think people would be surprised at how little they do miss their computers. Less noise (read Bethe’s post on silence!)
A couple of weeks ago, we turned off the TV and computers for 2 days in the evening. It was amazing! The girls enjoyed the talk time and serenity. We took a walk, snuggled on the couch and talked, and read.
I highly recommend doing it at least one day a week.
Great ideas! We as a family always participate in this week and then my kids ask if we can do it all the time! Goes to show how the TV, Computer and other electronics really take away from the time you can spend with your family.
All great ideas I heartily recommend. I think the huge rise in obesity in America and the U.K. is caused by people living very sedentary lifestyles with T.V. and P.C. You are so right we have to get out there!
We go every afternoon to the valley by us, looking for flora and fauna and photographing some of the beautiful things we find. At the moment a number of white storks are stopping over and we can count on seeing mountain gazelle and hyrax. Pls do come along and comment.. (website above) I get great feedback by word and e mail but my comments are rather sparse yet to put it mildly!
I LOVE Michelle’s “b-word” comment! I’m going to introduce that policy in our household.
Bethe – Thanks for some new ideas on activities! Families need all the inspiration & ideas that they can get their hands on. Here’s a few more for your readers: http://twurl.nl/h73y0s
Not even one hour into our own “turn off” week, my little one was asking for TV. She rarely watches it, maybe 20 minutes a day, but I think she asks out of habit. It’ll be a challenge to keep them focused in activities when preparing a meal or needing to get chores done, but I’m hopeful that we’ll all develop some new non-screen habits over the course of 7 days.
RT @balmeras What are u doing for Turnoff Week? Share your ideas to get unplugged! http://bit.ly/br2Ny #screentime #playoutdoors
7 Activity Ideas for Turnoff Week | The Grass Stain Guru, http://digg.com/d1p9tX?OTC-em-sh2
RT @GreenHour: RT @balmeras What are u doing for Turnoff Week? Share your ideas to get unplugged! http://bit.ly/br2Ny #screentime
@balmeras Thank you for the RT! LOVE your ideas for Turnoff Week @ The Grass Stain Guru http://tinyurl.com/c2frw5
Loved the post! Thanks for the great ideas for Turnoff Week (and every week).
Loved Michele’s comment: “My mom outlawed the “B-word” in our house when we were young: bored. If we said it – she find a chore for us to do.” And I will be incorporating that as needed!
Great comments, as always folks!! The “B” word was banned in our house too, growing up. We didn’t dare speak that word, or else we would be cleaning house or raking leaves. Besides, with a yard, bikes, and crayons, how could you possibly be bored?
So much of the plugged in life is habit. Kids and adults learn to do these activities to excess, and we can certainly learn to do other healthier and equally fun activities. When it gets down to it, it should just be 2 weeks a year (there is another Turnoff Week in Sept), but the norm — not totally unplugged, but a lot more balance. TV and video games should be the icing on the cake, not the cake itself — so to speak.
Keep up the great work & enjoy your unplugged time!
Cheers- Bethe
[...] again, folks — the end of another busy week! Time to relax and make the time for some fun. It’s also Turnoff Week, so there is extra incentive to get out for extra play outdoors time. And if all that isn’t [...]