This is the first instalment of a series of articles written by our esteemed tutors and consultants providing new ways to keep your kids active, learning and engaged. Tune in regularly for new additions, and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest news on coping with the coronavirus.

3 Ways to Manage Screen Time Effectively and Safely

One of the biggest concerns families are facing right now is screen time. With a growing dependency across all ages for technology to learn, work and stay entertained, school closure means children are at risk of collapsing in front of their screen without much respite. So how much is too much; when do we use it and when do we lose it?

Create structure

Creating and maintaining a routine whilst the kids are at home is a very important aspect of managing the schools closure smoothly and productively. Just as the students have a routine in school which includes the school run, timetable of classes, after school activities, homework, supper, bath and bed, the same must exist whilst remaining at home. By establishing a routine, parents can allocate when a screen can be used and when it is time to take a break, without fear that your child ends up plugged in for hours on end.

Online learning

Despite the negatives of too much screen time, it has its serious advantages when used properly. Technological advances mean we are lucky enough to bring a huge amount of learning and activity for children online, which is incredibly useful in our current climate. Programs like Zoom can deliver lessons and guided activities through high quality video technology by carefully vetted tutors, monitored by curriculum teams. If students need extra supervision to complete homework assignments, or ask questions, we can provide the forum for this. Holland Park is also able to offer top quality art classes, singing, drama, yoga and even ballet online for those eager to learn something new, or keep up with ongoing improvement. Contact one of our team for more information about how to book 1:1 or group lessons with some friends.

Read the book + watch the movie

There is nothing wrong with mixing it up. Set an assignment for the kids which includes watching the movie after reading the book, injecting some more reading as a way of earning their time in front of the TV. Start discussions about similarities and differences between the original text and screen adaptation. A few examples for different age ranges include: Gone with the Wind, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Matilda, Alice and Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, The Chronicles of Narnia, Atonement, The Great Gatsby, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Help, Water for Elephants.

Contact the team at Holland Park Education at +44 207 034 0800, or email [email protected] for more information on how to cope with Covid-19. We are here to help!