Adding Rather Than Taking Away
One idea that surfaced recently during our Brave Learner Home “Go Analog” webinar was to focus on adding rather than taking away. Let me explain.
Sometimes, when something worries us, like too much screen time, we think about reducing it in terms of taking something away. Reduce screen time by removing access to screen-based activities. There is certainly a time for that. But a helpful reframe is to reduce by adding.
Remember when I shared that instead of thinking of life as busy, I like to think of it as full? What if you helped fill your child’s day with engaging activities that naturally pull them off screens?
Ask yourself:
- What is one thing I loved doing as a child that had nothing to do with a screen? How could I invite my child into a similar experience this summer?
- If our family had a whole afternoon with nothing planned and no screens, what would we actually want to do? Invite your children into this reflection with you.
- Where do I see my kids feeling the most restless, bored, or dependent on screens? How could an “analog bag” (filled with items like colorful pens, washi tape, rubber stamps, and ink pads) gently stretch them to embrace the discomfort of getting off of technology for a moment?
Keep in mind that the goal is achieved by adding, not taking away, which can often feel like a punishment.
Today’s post features an encouraging message by Dawn Smith (President of Brave Writer) that she recently shared with our Brave Learner Home community.
