A Screen-Free Half Term

As half-term nears, we are presented with a golden opportunity to power down our devices and disconnect from the online world with no virtual deadlines to meet or conference calls to attend. I, for one, intend to embrace it fully!  

At the end of each of my Friday celebration assemblies last year, I would urge the viewing pupils to turn off their laptops and tablets, store them securely and find some pleasure in an activity which didn’t require an internet connection, or indeed any form of battery powered device: writing a joke book, cooking some cupcakes, painting a picture, riding a bicycle, making up a silly song or simply curling up with a good book. Now, I am in no way a technophobe, believing that no good will ever come from the extensive use of computers, in fact quite the opposite. I truly believe that the computer has revolutionised education and has the potential to be the most powerful resource in any teacher’s toolkit. I am, however, concerned by the fact that this enforced period of distance learning has led to an unavoidable uptick in the amount of time our pupils are required to spend in front of their computer screens. As the great majority of us have jobs that require us to spend long hours poring over spreadsheets and emails and PDFs, we are all keenly aware of the problems that can accompany extended periods of screen time. So with a week ahead without daily online activities to be completed, I feel it is especially important to encourage our pupils to take a real break from their devices and find enjoyment in the physical world once again.

Easier said than done though, right? With the dubious pleasures of YouTube, Roblox, Netflix and Fortnite just a few clicks away, it can be hard to convince pupils that they would be better off picking up the handicraft kit that Grandma bought them last Christmas. Part of the solution here is to be a role model. Make the ceremonial storing of devices a shared activity. If you can’t be without your tablet or laptop for the week due to the demands of work, is it possible to find a couple of hours each day when your child can store your device with theirs while you enjoy an activity together? But what to do during these offline hours? There are no shortage of ideas available online, but the only really suitable suggestions will come from your child directly. A little time spent brainstorming activities together at the beginning of the week might help avoid the temptation to get the devices out earlier than planned. There is no need for all of these activities to be rich with educational value. Sure, an afternoon spent crafting a board game based on improper fractions might be an excellent way to recap that particular key concept, however this is half-term, and throwing paper airplanes around, organising your own indoor Olympics, discovering how to play Old Maid, sharpening your penny football skills or competing to see who can flick a coin into egg cup are just as valid uses of that time. The important thing is that they are back in the offline world, connecting with family, having fun and living in the moment. The online world, with all of its marvellous applications and manifold diversions, will still be there when they return, fully refreshed after a proper half-term break.