Our newest book, The Learning Habit, is about the skills and habits that help children succeed in school and life. Although the book is based on research and studies, many parents learn anecdotally.
As a parent, do you find yourself paying attention to hard science or learning through other moms and dads? I need both. As a lover of statistics, I like to know “why” and “how” things work. I use stories to take actionable steps which lead to real change and lasting habits.
The following story is from a case study included in The Learning Habit.
McKenzie seemed chronically unhappy. She was always begging me for toys she’d seen on a TV commercial. The more I gave in to McKenzie’s demands, the unhappier she seemed. I decided to cut down on her media use – game apps and television were the worst offenders. The positive changes in McKenzie’s behavior were almost immediate.
Andrea used a strategy called “The Swap Out Method” to reduce screen time and media use. The Swap Out Method involves small, incremental changes which lead to lifelong habits. She began by swapping out one media consumption activity a week with a non-media activity.
SWAP OUT METHOD
Andrea’s Tip: Permit media in the car only for longs trips (longer than one hour of uninterrupted driving). “This immediately cut out at least a fifth of my child’s media consumption,” Andrea said.
Have you found ways to cut down on media consumption in your home? Have you ever been inspired to tackle a big family challenge using small, incremental changes? Please share your story and tips here so we can all learn from each other.
[stextbox id=”info”]I’ve heard that many parents are concerned about the upcoming school year with academic changes such as the Common Core Curriculum. During these transitions, things can feel out of control for parents, students, and teachers. The best way we can stop the pendulum from swinging is to focus on building long-term learning habits. These habits are built at home, and are all within our area of control. Click here to order The Learning Habit.[/stextbox]
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