Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood
Unplug and Play!
May 2 - 8, 2016
Contents
Screen-Free Week Overview................................................................. 3
Lesson 1: During Screen-Free Week I can…......................................... 4
Lesson 2: Story Time............................................................................. 6
Lesson 3: Animal Exercises ................................................................... 7
Creating Screen-Free Centers for Early Childhood Education............... 8
Unplug and Play! Poster....................................................................... 9
74 Screen-Free Activities......................................................................10
Chef’s Corner.........................................................................................11
Parent Newsletter ................................................................................12
Screen-Time Tracker.............................................................................13
Certificate of Completion.....................................................................14
Activity Box and Cards.................................................................... 15-17
Pledge Cards........................................................................................13
2
MAY 2-8, 2016
Screen-Free Week Overview
Screen time is any time spent watching television
and videos, playing video and computer games or
surfing the Internet. Too much screen time not only
replaces physical activity time, it also encourages
young people to eat more of the unhealthy,
high-calorie foods they see advertised on TV.
Did you know?
•By the time they are 65 years old,
the average American will have
spent nine years of their lives
watching television.
•Children watch an average of
27 hours of TV per week. By high
school graduation, teens will have
spent more time watching television
than going to school.
Screen-Free Week is an annual celebration
encouraging schools, families and communities
to turn off the screens and explore other ways to
spend time together. It’s a chance for children—
and adults—to power down and reconnect with
the world around them.
•Children who watch the most
number of hours of television per
day have the highest prevalence
of obesity.
Why is reducing screen time
important in early childhood?
Playing computer and tablet games, watching
television and going online are fun activities but
too much screen time can impact children’s social
and physical development. Parents and child-care
providers are important role models and gatekeepers for screen time for young children.
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Pediatricians recommend no screen time for
children under the age of 2 and limiting screen
time to no more than two hours per day for
children over 2 years old.
Sharing activities in child-care settings such as
playing games, reading a book and exploring
the outdoors are fun alternatives to screen time.
Using the Get Unplugged! Toolkit
This year the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth
(VFHY) is working with early childhood education
centers statewide to promote and celebrate 2016
Screen-Free Week. The Get Unplugged! toolkit that
follows is filled with ideas for ways to turn off the
screens and create an active child-care center.
3
MAY 2-8, 2016
Lesson One: During Screen-Free Week I can…
In celebration of Screen-Free Week, we are sharing activities that you can
do away from screens. Screen time is any time spent watching TV, videos
or DVDs. Screen time also includes time spent playing video games or using
computers and handheld devices such as tablets. Too much screen time can
lead to poor sleep habits, eating unhealthy foods and declines in academic
performance.
Make the commitment
Instructions for Coloring Sheet
The first step in making a commitment is to understand why
Screen-Free Week is important, and why it’s crucial to help
youth (and ourselves) reduce time with screens.
Using the coloring sheet to draw how you are going to
spend your time during Screen-Free Week. Examples: Help
make a healthy snack, jump rope, play with friends, etc.
Materials
Discussion Questions
Crayons or colored pencils, coloring sheet
• What activities can you do outside that are screen free?
• What activities can you do inside that are screen free?
• What activities can you do on rainy days that are
screen free?
• Who can you play with to do screen-free activities?
• What books can you read when you are being
screen free?
• What games can you play when you are being
screen free?
4
MAY 2-8, 2016
What fun activities are YOU going to spend your time doing during Screen-Free Week?
Draw a picture in the screen and tape it to your TV for your friends and family to see!
Lesson Two: Story Time
This week we are celebrating Screen-Free Week.
During this week, kids across the state are reading
the book “Doug Unplugged” and trading screen
time for activity time. With the Screen-Free Week
initiative, children, families and communities
around the world will rediscover the joys of
life beyond the screen. Unplug from digital
entertainment and spend your free time playing,
reading, daydreaming, creating, exploring and
connecting with family and friends.
Instructions for Story Time:
1.Obtain copy of Doug Unplugged or watch the preview at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8b1uOnQheA.
2.Before story time begins, ask a few questions:
i. Who enjoys playing on the computer, watching television or working on a tablet?
ii. What other activities do you like to do that do not involve a
screen?
3. After you have read the book, ask students the
following questions:
i. What did you think when Doug decided to unplug himself
and explore?
ii. Where would you like to explore?
iii. What kind of things can we explore when we are away
from our screens?
MAY 4-10, 2015
6
Lesson Three: Animal Exercises
When we are not spending time in front of screens like computers, tablets and
televisions, we have more time for physical activities. Being physically active is
an important part of being healthy — we should aim for at least one hour of
physical activity each day.
Materials Needed:
Instructions
• 1 CD of upbeat (child friendly) music, or if you do
not have a CD try this: (https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=OwWT43Eb3IM) (the monitor should be turned
off, so the music can still be playing but the screen is off)
1. Before the activity begins, ask a couple questions:
i. What are your favorite animals?
ii. Why do you like your favorite animal?
iii. Which kinds of animals are fast? slow? climb? hop?
swim?
2. Its game time!
i. Have the students walk around the room or in a circle.
ii. Call out an animal activity (bounce like a kangaroo, hop
like a bunny, leap like a lemur).
iii. Every time a new animal activity is given, the students
must switch and do that activity.
iv. Alternate between calling out animal activities and
starting and stopping the music. Whenever the music
stops playing, the participants must freeze in place.
v. Whoever is caught moving after the music has stopped is
out of the game.
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MAY 4-10, 2015
Creating Screen-Free Childcare Centers
It is important to engage parents and families to start screen-free habits at
home. Use the posters and newsletters in this kit to educate families about
reducing daily screen time.
Posters
Instructions: Hang the posters on Page 9 in your classroom
and on bulletin boards to encourage parents and families to
get unplugged!
Screen-Free Week Policy
Campaign
for Comm
ercial-Fre
e
Childhood
Celebrate Screen-Free Week all year with a centerwide policy
limiting screen time.
Screen-Time Policy: Because we care about the health and
well-being of the children in our care, we follow the American
Academy of Pediatrics’ screen-time recommendations:
•No screen time for children under the age of 2
Unplug a
May 2 - 8 nd Play!
, 2016
•Limit screen time to no more than two hours
per day for children over 2 years old
8
MAY 2-8, 2016
Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood
Unplug and Play!
May 2 - 8, 2016
74
ways
to be
Screen-Free
10+ activity ideas for every day of the week!
INSIDE
1) Draw family portraits.
2) Write a letter to your grandparents.
Draw them a picture.
3) Cook dinner with your parents.
25) Make a necklace, bracelet
or keychain.
26) Play hide and seek.
27) Dress up in halloween costumes
and perform a play for your family.
51) Go on a hike.
52) Play on a playground.
53) Race your siblings or friends to
the end of the block and back.
54) Throw a football or play
catch with a ball.
4) Write a story.
28) Play a card game (Go Fish is fun!)
or learn a new card game.
5) Read a book.
29) Learn a magic trick.
55) Kick around a soccer ball or
shoot hoops with a basketball.
6) Make birthday cards for your friends.
30) Have a tea party.
56) Collect leaves from a tree.
7) Start a journal or diary.
31) Make homemade Play-Doh
57) Go on a bug hunt.
8) Paint a picture.
32) Blow bubbles.
58) Paint some rocks with watercolors.
9) Invent a new game.
Teach it to your friends.
10) Learn to play a musical
instrument. Make up a song.
59) Visit the beach.
60) Family relay race
OUTDOORS
33) Create sidewalk art with chalk.
61) Family talent night/show
11) Make up a new board game
and teach it to others.
34) Have a yard sale.
12) Do instant recess activities such as
sit-ups, jumping jacks or push-ups.
35) Take your dog for a walk.
IN THE COMMUNITY
36) Play tag with friends.
62) Go on a nature walk at the park.
13) Have a family game night.
37) Go bird watching.
63) Join a sports team.
14) Make crafts and give them
as gifts to friends and family.
38) Go on a bike ride.
64) Go swimming at your local pool.
39) Climb a tree.
65) Visit the zoo or a museum.
15) Design a poster for Screen-Free Week.
40) Stargaze: How many
constellations can you find?
66) Have a picnic or a cookout at the park.
16) Research your family history.
Make a family tree.
17) Plan a slumber party or your
next birthday party.
41) Make an obstacle course
using jump ropes, balls and
chairs. Have a relay race.
18) Make puppets from old socks
and put on a puppet show.
42) Help your parents wash their car.
19) Put together a puzzle.
44) Start a garden.
20) Start a diary or journal.
45) Put up a lemonade stand
in your front yard.
21) Build a fort in your living room
22) Create a collage out of pictures
from old magazines.
23) Play a game of checkers or chess.
24) Look at old photographs of your
parents and family members,
then make a scrapbook.
43) Fly a kite.
46) Visit and get to know your neighbors.
47) Camp out in your backyard
for the night.
48) Organize a neighborhood
scavenger hunt.
67) Go to a live sports game.
68) Go ice skating or roller skating.
69) Go to a museum.
70) Visit your public library and stock
up on some good books.
71) Take cooking, jewelry-making
or singing lessons.
72) Attend a local concert.
Watch a band play.
73) Volunteer at and/or visit
a community garden.
74) Go to a farmers’ market or
visit a pick-your-own farm.
49) Play tag or hopscotch.
50) Create a garden in your backyard
10
MAY 2-8, 2016
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Chef’s Corner
During Screen-Free Week, invite kids into the kitchen! Kids are
more likely to try new foods that they have helped make. Time in
the kitchen is an opportunity to practice motor skills when stirring,
pouring or kneading and young chefs can learn more about where
food comes from and how meals are made.
Easy Pizza (serves 8)
Fruit Skewers (serves 8)
Ingredients
4 English Muffins (split them apart)
1/2 cup of tomato sauce
1 teaspoon oregano
4 ounces low-fat mozzarella cheese
Optional: Add 1 cup of your choice of veggies!
Ingredients:
4 cups of a variety of four fresh fruit options (apples,
bananas, grapes, pineapple or fruits that are in season)
8 ounces of low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/3 teaspoon of cinnamon
Utensils:
•Knife
• Cutting board
• Plastic toothpicks or skewers
• Mixing bowl
• Mixing spoon
Utensils:
•Knives
• Measuring spoons
•Plates
• Microwave or toaster oven
Directions:
1. Clean fruit
2. Cut fruit into small pieces
3. Arrange neatly on a platter
4. Optional: Place fruit pieces on skewer and serve
on a plate with a dollop of yogurt or serves pieces
as a fruit salad in a bowl with a dollop of yogurt.
5. Sprinkle skewers, fruit bowls and yogurt with cinnamon
Directions:
1. Split English muffins in half
2. Spread 1/2 tablespoon tomato sauce on each half
3. Sprinkle each half with a pinch of oregano
4. Top with 1/2 ounce of mozzarella cheese
5. Put in toaster oven for 2-4 minutes or microwave
as needed to get warm, melted cheese.
More healthy kid-friendly recipes
are located on healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/
recipes/recipes-child-care-providers
11
MAY 2-8, 2016
Parent Newsletter
It’s Screen-Free Week– a week when everyone is challenged
to take a healthy break away from screens such as TVs,
tablets, computers, video games, etc., and spend some time
being active and/or doing something else you love!
Too much screen time not only displaces time that
youth could spend being physically active, it also
encourages them to eat more of the unhealthy,
high-calorie foods that they see advertised.
It is important that children and families be
encouraged to be screen-free and engage
more in physical activities.
10 ways to be Screen Free
1) Organize a family or classroom paint party.
2) Be a role model and play!
3) Read a story to your child or students.
4) Host one of your child’s friends for a play date.
5) Create your own storybook.
6) Have a board/ card game day.
7) Create a relaxation vacation.
Pediatrician recommendations
8) Take a field trip to a local museum.
• No screen time for children under the age
of 2.
9) Cook a favorite meal or recipe passed
down from previous generations.
• Limited screen time to no more than two
hours per day for children over 2 years old.
10) Visit the local library.
• American Association of Pediatrics
recommends that parents create an
electronic-media free environment in
child’s bedroom.
Did you know?
•Infant exposure to television
has been linked to delayed
language development and
kindergarten readiness skills.
•Early exposure to TV has
also been connected to
sleep problems.
•Children who watch the
most number of hours
12
MAY 2-8, 2016
Screen-Time Tracker
Fill in your total screen time in each column:
TV
Video Games
DVD/Movie
Computer/iPad
Daily Total
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
S=Start Time
Weekly Total Screen Time Hours
F=Finish Time
T=Total
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MAY 2-8, 2016
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Year
www.screenfree.org
Screen-free Week is a program of Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood
Organizer’s Signature
has successfully complete Screen-Free Week!
This certifies that
Certificate of Achievement
Create an Activity Box and Cards
The Activity Box
With the help of their teachers or parents, students should create an activity box
that showcases their classroom’s or family’s personality. The box will contain activity
cards to be used during TV commercial breaks or other break times.
Creating the Activity Box:
Materials:
Directions:
Shoe box or copier paper box
• The teacher or parent should cut open a fist-wide flap/
opening at the top or the side of the box so a child’s hand
can fit inside to grab an activity card.
Scissors
Glue
Construction paper
• The teacher or parent should cut out the activity cards from
page 16 of the Screen-Free Week packet.
Markers, crayons and/or paint
• Have the students color and decorate the box.
• Finally, when the box has been decorated, the place the
activity cards inside.
• The teacher or parent can assign who gets to pick the
activity for the break time however he or she sees fit. It is
a fun way to keep students active and engaged during
Screen-Free Week!
15
MAY 2-8, 2016
Screen-Free Activity Cards
It’s time to unplug and play, imagine, create, explore and spend time with family and friends!
Make a
collection
Jump
rope
Write a
story
Recycle
Walk
the dog
Blow
bubbles
Play
with
toys
Make
believe
Slide
Swing
Illustrations: mycutegraphics.com
16
MAY 2-8, 2016
Screen-Free Activity Cards
It’s time to unplug and play, imagine, create, explore and spend time with family and friends!
Puppet
show
Read a
book
Dig in
dirt
Fly a
kite
Play with
your pet
Clean
Plant
flowers
Paint a
picture
Play
with a
ball
Discover
insects
Illustrations: mycutegraphics.com
17
MAY 2-8, 2016
Pledge Card
I, _____________________________________________
pledge that during the week of ____________________ ,
I will only use screens when they are required for school.
I will not: 1) watch TV or videos, 2) play games on
tablets, websites, phones or consoles, 3) surf the web or
4) use social media.
Instead of spending time with screens, I will:
______________________________________________ ______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Remember to encourage your friends
and family to go screen-free!
Screen-Free Week is a
program of Campaign for a
Commercial-Free Childhood
www.screenfree.org
UNPLUG AND PLAY!
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May 2 - 8, 2016
www.vfhy.org • 701 E. Franklin St., Suite 500 • Richmond, VA 23219 • (804) 786-2523