Locally-Created

“Powerful Puppetry” Programs

Reducing Screen Time: Watch Less, Play More!

Suggested Grade Levels

K, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

Overview

Young people are spending more and more time in front of entertainment screens — 4-5 hours a day is the norm for school-age kids, according to a 2007 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey on children’s media use.  Doctors and other professionals who work with children are becoming increasingly concerned about the impact of excessive screen time on kids’ health and well-being.  Physicians at the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend no more than 1– 2  hours of screen time (computer, TV and video games all included) a day for children over the age of 2 since researchers are noticing harmful effects when kids get more than 10 hours a week, such as: sleep problems, struggles with concentration and getting along with others, poorer school performance, and greater likelihood of being overweight.  For example, each extra hour is linked to a 2% increased risk of being overweight (Dennison, BA, Pediatrics journal, June 2002). Kids who get more screen time are also likely to be exposed to advertising, and potentially smoking, drug, and alcohol use, as well as violent, sexual or stereotypical images.

The harm comes not only from excessive media use itself, but also from what kids miss when screen time replaces other activities: opportunities to get up and move around, be creative, socialize, read, do homework, etc.

Developed with Kaiser Permanente Northwest, this Powerful Puppetry program helps children (and parents) become more aware of how much time they’re spending in front of a screen and how they can benefit from cutting back.  It also inspires them to come up with simple alternatives that are healthier, but just as fun.

Script Scenario

Carlos and Keenan are two 10-year-old friends, getting together on a weekend afternoon.  Keenan was looking forward to playing video games with his friend, but his parents have recently become concerned about how much time he is playing the games and how it sometimes makes him grouchy and uncooperative.  Keenan has to take a break from the screen as he’s already gone over his new weekly time limit.  After initially being disappointed about the change of plans, Keenan follows Carlos’ lead to create their own entertainment.  Carlos also shares his experience cutting back on screen time, including why and how he did it.  The characters end the program by asking audiences what they would like to do in place of screen time and giving them hints about why it’s important — and fun — to do other things. 

Objectives

• Define “screen time” and explain the AAP’s recommendation of no more than 10 hours a week.
• Present video games, TV, computer use etc. as “sometimes” activities – OK in small doses (of quality programs), but not if screen time becomes a habit or negatively affects health or behavior.
• Help kids (and parents) become more aware of the link between screen time and health/behavior.
• Encourage children (and parents) to keep better track of their screen time.
• Support children (and families) in making changes to reduce screen time.

Format

This 30-minute program consists of a scripted puppet presentation, followed by a guided question and answer session, when puppets reinforce learning objectives and encourage children to share their questions and concerns. To extend learning, children receive a bookmark with the program’s messages, and they are encouraged to write letters or emails to the puppets. We also provide classroom activities and hand-outs for parents about why this issue is important and how they can easily replace screen time with better choices. To help Kids on the Block continually improve our programs, teachers are asked to complete a short evaluation form as well and, especially, to let us know of any behavior change they notice as a result of the program.

To schedule this show, contact Program Director, Lynette Jelinek, at: lynette@powerfulpuppetry.org, 503-736-3200, or 360-433-5697.

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