Elementary Screen Time Reduction
A PreK-Grade 5 Action Plan
During the Spring 2025 semester, elementary teachers, administrators, and school teams will collaborate to establish shared expectations for reducing screen time during the school day, reflecting our commitment to fostering learning environments which are developmentally appropriate and engaging. Devices will be used selectively and only when they enhance learning experiences for students, ensuring that instructional time remains purposeful, engaging, and developmentally appropriate.
Our goals include:
- Encouraging Interpersonal Connections
- Students can engage fully with peers and teachers by reducing reliance on digital tools and strengthening collaboration and communication skills.
- Promoting Hands-On Learning Experiences
- Prioritize tactile and experiential activities to foster curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
- Strengthening Foundational Skills
- Reducing screen time allows students to focus on essential literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional development during critical early learning.
Timeline
- January 2025
- Collect baseline data and continue to share the initiative with staff and families.
- February 2025
- Finalize shared expectations, develop grade-level guidelines, and introduce sample schedules.
- March 2025
- Provide professional development and release teacher resources for reduced screen time.
- April-May 2025
- Monitor implementation, track progress, and conduct classroom observations.
- Gather final feedback, celebrate successes, and plan for Fall 2025.
Key Action Areas
- Identifying Current Practices
- Assess device use during the school day, including how and when they are used.
- Review curriculum documents to analyze screen time by content area.
- Conduct surveys with teachers and students to understand challenges, preferences, and alternative ideas.
- Establishing Shared Expectations
- Develop age-appropriate screen time guidelines for each grade level.
- Define a district-wide standard for sparing and purposeful device use, including specific examples of effective practices.
- Measuring Impact
- Provide tools for teachers to track and reflect on classroom device usage.
- Conduct classroom visits to observe engagement and gather feedback from students, teachers, and families.
- Highlight and share successes and best practices across schools through newsletters, events, and district updates.