Screen Smart Script

Welcome and Introduction (1 minute)

"Hello everyone, and thank you for being here today. My name is [Teacher's Name], and I'm excited to talk about a topic that's on many of our minds: digital wellness and responsible technology usage for our young children, especially those in Kindergarten through 5th grade.

In today's fast-paced world, technology is everywhere. While it offers incredible opportunities, it also presents unique challenges for parents. Our goal today is to equip you with practical, easy-to-implement strategies to help your children build healthy and safe digital habits from a young age. It's about finding that balance, isn't it?"

Presenting Key Strategies (5 minutes)

(Transition to Smart Screens Slide Deck - Slide 1)

"Let's start with our theme for today: Screen Smart Parents: Nurturing Digital Wellness K-5."

(Advance to Slide 2: Why Digital Wellness Matters)

"So, why is this topic so important, especially for our K-5 students? Research shows that early experiences with technology can have a significant impact. We're talking about their brain development, their attention spans, and even their social-emotional learning. Think about how much we learn from face-to-face interactions – developing empathy, understanding non-verbal cues. Also, as they start exploring online, ensuring their safety and privacy becomes paramount. The habits we help them build now will carry with them as they grow. The earlier we establish positive patterns, the better."

(Advance to Slide 3: Balanced Screen Time: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint)

"One of the biggest questions is always about screen time. And it truly is a marathon, not a sprint. It's not just about how much time, but also about the quality of that time. Encourage educational and interactive content. When it comes to age-appropriate limits, organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics offer guidelines – generally, for preschoolers, it's about an hour, and for K-5, it's about ensuring it doesn't displace other important activities like sleep, physical activity, and family time.

A great strategy is co-viewing and co-playing. Sit with your child, ask them about what they're watching or playing. Make it an engaging experience, not just passive consumption. And let's not forget screen-free zones or times. Mealtimes are a great example, or bedrooms. Establishing these helps create natural boundaries."

(Advance to Slide 4: Setting Clear Boundaries & Expectations)

"This brings us to setting clear boundaries. Creating a Family Media Plan can be incredibly effective. You can even involve your children in this process as they get a little older – what are fair rules for everyone? Consistency is key; stick to the plan you create. There are also many parental control tools available that can help manage content and time limits. But above all, foster open communication. Talk to your children about what they see and do online. Make it a safe space for them to share."

(Advance to Slide 5: Growing Good Digital Citizens)

"Beyond time and boundaries, we want to raise good digital citizens. This means teaching them to be kind online, just as they are in person. Remind them about privacy – not to share personal information without asking you first. Encourage them to think before they click – is this safe? Is this true? And most importantly, empower them to ask for help if something online ever feels wrong or makes them uncomfortable. You are their trusted adult."

Interactive Activity: Screen Time Check-Up (3 minutes)

(Transition to Slide 6: Your Family's Digital Wellness Check-Up and distribute Screen Time Check-Up Activity)

"Now, I invite you to take a moment for a personal reflection using this Screen Time Check-Up Activity. There are no right or wrong answers, it's just a quick way to think about your family's current habits. Take about a minute to jot down some thoughts. Then, turn to a neighbor and briefly share one strategy you might consider implementing or adjusting based on what we've discussed today. What's one small step you could take?"

(Allow 2 minutes for parents to reflect and briefly discuss.)

Q&A and Closing (1 minute)

(Transition to Slide 7: Building a Screen Smart Home)

"To wrap up, remember that building a screen-smart home is a journey. Start small, choose one or two things to focus on first. Be a role model – your digital habits are observed! And keep learning, because the digital world is always evolving. Most importantly, you got this! You are the best guide for your children.

Does anyone have any quick questions before we conclude?"

(Address 1-2 quick questions if any, otherwise thank parents.)

"Thank you so much for your time and participation today. I hope you found these strategies helpful!"

Screen Time Check-Up: A Parent's Reflection

This activity is for your personal reflection. There are no right or wrong answers, just an opportunity to consider your family's digital habits and identify areas for growth.

Your Family's Digital Landscape

1. Typical Weekday Screen Time: Approximately how much time do your K-5 child(ren) spend on screens during a typical weekday? What activities are they usually doing (e.g., educational apps, games, videos)?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Typical Weekend Screen Time: Approximately how much time do your K-5 child(ren) spend on screens during a typical weekend? What activities are they usually doing?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Reflecting on Strategies

3. From today's discussion (or your own ideas!), which ONE "Screen Smart" strategy do you feel you could realistically implement or strengthen in your home this week? Why did you choose this one?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. What is one challenge you anticipate when trying to implement this strategy, and how might you overcome it?