• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • About
  • Shop
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • Contact

teach mama logo

teach mama

helps families connect & build bridges between home & school, by amy mascott

  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning

screen time cards for digital kids: easy tool for monitoring screen time

home / digital literacy / computer time / screen time cards for digital kids: easy tool for monitoring screen time
1.0K shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

My digital kids have been using Game Time Cards for the last few years, and it’s been a huge, huge, HUGE help in keeping their screen time in check.

screen time cards

Game Time Cards allowed us to put some of the ownership of our children’s time in front of the screen on them.

The concept was simple: the kids would choose to ‘use a ticket’ at designated times to play with the LeapPad, Leapster, or Nintendo DS.  We followed a set of general guidelines based on the AAP Media recommendations. It worked for us–then.

Now? With a 9-year-old, an 8-year-old, and a 6-year-old, our needs are a bit different. It was time for some changes, and it was time for the kids to have more of a say in how it worked.

So we re-vamped our Game Time Cards.

I’m hoping it works.  Actually, we’re all feeling pretty confident.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Screen Time Cards For Digital Kids — Easy Tool for Monitoring Screen Time:

So after the millionth weekend in a row where every other second the kids were asking to get on the touch screen, the iPad, the you name it, I nearly lost my sanity.

screen time cards: manage kids' screen time

 old cards. . . ready for an upgrade

screen time cards: manage kids' screen time

It’s an absolutely gorgeous day outside. Go. Out. And. PLAAAAAAY. I pretty much screamed six thousand times.

But Moooooom. It’s my turn on the [insert device].

[insert kid name] has been on the [insert device] forEVER. It’s my turn!

I haven’t been on the [insert device] for even HALF the time that [insert kid name] has. It’s not FAIR!

Over. And over. And over.

So our ‘free Wii on weekends’ had somehow morphed into ‘free electronics on weekends’ which was ultimately causing our family an insane amount of stress and anxiety.  We needed to reign in all in.

screen time cards comparison

screen time cards for digital kids: easy tool for monitoring screen time

We sat down after dinner one night and really fleshed it all out.

We called a Family Meeting to get to the bottom of our screen time issues. And after a lot of back and forth, we came up with the following agreement and a new name. Gone are the ‘Game Time Cards’ and in are the ‘Screen Time Cards’.

Screen Time Guidelines — some new, some already established:

  • Screen time starts after school–no screen time in the morning before school;
  • New week start on Monday, but Mondays are completely unplugged days;
  • Each child chose a card color: Maddy is green; Owen is white; Cora is purple;
  • Each child has 4- 30-minute cards and 4- 15-minute cards, totaling three hours of screen time a week;

screen time cards for digital kids: easy tool for monitoring screen time

  • Every week, the kids have the chance to earn two extra 30-minute cards depending on behavior and attitude that week;
  • Earned cards will be placed in charts Saturday morning;
  • Kids can cash in their cards whenever they want, but when they’re gone, they’re gone;
  • Devices are used in living room, downstairs, but not up in bedrooms;
  • Screen Time Cards can be used for the iPad, Nintendo DS, LeapPad, Wii, mobile devices, or computer.

Each child is responsible for keeping his or her own time, and it was their responsibility to be honest–or future cards would be lost.

The new screen time cards can be downloaded for your own use; just print the first page a different color for each child.

Our weeknights are so busy that we rarely turn on the television, and we often have family Wii parties and movie nights together. That screen time was fine in our books since it is together time and closely monitored.

As soon as we had the parameters down, I got to work.

screen time cards for digital kids: easy tool for monitoring screen time

I needed to create a new set-up for the cards. . .

screen time cards for digital kids: easy tool for monitoring screen time

So I cut a large envelope in half and taped it shut. . .

screen time cards for digital kids: easy tool for monitoring screen time

. . . then I added the kids’ names.

screen time cards for digital kids: easy tool for monitoring screen time

Finally, I used the cork board already in the Craft Room because it was central and easy for everyone to reach.

Cards are IN using the envelopes with the kids’ names, and they are OUT in the ‘out’ folders.

Earned cards will rest in the ‘Earned’ envelope until the weekend hits.

screen time cards for digital kids: easy tool for monitoring screen time

screen time cards for digital kids: easy tool for monitoring screen time

screen time cards for digital kids: easy tool for monitoring screen time

Is it perfect? No way. Again, it is  a work in progress.

And when and if our kids get their own mobile devices, this plan will need a definite re-vamp.

We’re learning as we go, and trying our very best at the most difficult job out there.  And what I know for sure is that something needed to change, and we’re hoping that this system–which Maddy, Owen, and Cora helped us design–will be best for everyone.

Our Screen Time Cards are designed with our kids’ best interest in mind, knowing that we, as parents, need to establish healthy ‘media diets’ early for our family.our digital kids

On October 28, 2013, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a new statement on media consumption–one that replaces the 2001 statement (finally, right?). The recommendations for parents are:

  • Parents can model effective “media diets” to help their children learn to be selective and healthy in what they consume. Take an active role in children’s media education by co-viewing programs with them and discussing values.
  • Make a media use plan, including mealtime and bedtime curfews for media devices. Screens should be kept out of kids’ bedrooms.
  • Limit entertainment screen time to less than one or two hours per day; in children under 2, discourage screen media exposure.

Want more? Visit the AAP Media & Children page; the AAP Media Kit, or the 10/28/13 AAP Managing Media statement.

fyi: affiliate links are used in this post

You May Also Like...

  • how to prepare your child for kindergarten -- summertime prep
    how to prepare your child for kindergarten -- summertime prep
  • Navigating Education in a Time of Uncertainty: A Virtual Summit for Educators
    Navigating Education in a Time of Uncertainty: A Virtual Summit for Educators
  • Virtual Summit for Educators: Navigating the Online Classroom & Beyond
    Virtual Summit for Educators: Navigating the Online Classroom & Beyond

About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro · http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

Previous Post: « neighborhood toy story day neighborhood toy store day: kick off holiday shopping locally! *sponsored*
Next Post: the Intel All-In-One PC: fab device for digital families (sponsored) intel all in one pc »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dana

    November 8, 2013 at 2:35 am

    Wow! I’ve tried many variations of this over the weekend. Currently, they get one hour a day of anything with a screen. They can bank their time if they want to play longer on the weekend or whatever. But everything resets on Mondays.

    Reply
    • amy mascott

      November 8, 2013 at 8:54 am

      got it–so you just are free for an hour every day. . . how do you keep track? would love to learn more!

      Reply
  2. Barb Raveling

    November 8, 2013 at 10:10 am

    This is such a great idea – I love it! My kids are old now – 17-26. But when they were little we had a two hour a week screen time rule unless it was a family movie, which we only did once every week or two.

    My 26 year old just told me that he thought we were mean at the time to only let them have that much screen time but he’s grateful for it now because he’s met all kinds of kids his age who were allowed unlimited screen time and that’s all they ever did. They don’t have the great memories that he has.

    It’s a sacrifice for us moms – cuz it would be easier to plop them in front of the tv or a computer, but worth it for the kids. 🙂

    Reply
    • amy mascott

      November 8, 2013 at 10:42 am

      Barb. THANK YOU for taking the time to share this–because it IS work. And hearing that your son is grateful makes me hope it’s worth it in the long run! YAY!

      Reply
  3. Carisa {1+1+1=1}

    November 9, 2013 at 8:54 am

    We too are in need of a rework with screen time. Our oldest self-moderates and always has. He made it easy on us, choosing non screen time more often and never showing signs of “addiction” to the screen at all. Our last 2, a totally different story! They are showing signs of little to NO self moderation and need us to step in even more than we already have been to help them moderate.

    Love your idea, we have a family meeting planned soon and were planning to discuss a new system, I look forward to sharing your ideas to see how it might be able to work for us!

    Reply
    • amy mascott

      November 10, 2013 at 7:50 pm

      Carisa! You and I are in the same boat–my oldest is fab at self-moderating, and my younger two? Not so much. Sharing about our Family Media Contract tomorrow….GREAT resource!!

      And please let me know how it goes for you or if you need anything else–happy to help you, my sweet, sweet friend!

      Reply
  4. PramgaticMom

    November 10, 2013 at 10:03 am

    I need to do something like this for my little boy! His screen time is out of control!

    Reply
  5. Kristi

    November 10, 2013 at 10:30 pm

    Love these cards! I am printing them off tonight–since my kiddos have been spending and begging for too much time on our new iPads.

    Just curious: What do you do when child has earned time, and another child hasn’t? Or, for example: Billy uses his card and watches a show (while Sally watches along with him). Then Sally wants to cash in her card (and Billy watch along–so they actually end up with 60 minutes instead of 30???) It seems like if one child is watching, everyone is going to be watching. I would love to hear your ideas, since I haven’t wrapped my brain around this one yet. Historically at my house, if one child has screen time, every child has screen time at the same time (but they may be on different devices).

    Reply
    • amy mascott

      November 27, 2013 at 6:01 am

      Kristi–
      Thank you thank you, my friend! Glad you like them! We are pretty strict when it comes to watching videos/ tv. If they want to use the iPads/ computer, it’s for games or playing–not watching videos.

      We sometimes experience the same thing–and with three kids, it could mean a LOT of screen time. But I look at it this way: with our ‘unplugged Monday’ and homework and other activities, if they are spending maybe 2-3 days together, hanging with each other using their Screen Time Cards and watching each other play, it’s cool with me.

      I don’t know–I’m learning as I go, too. Let’s stay in touch and keep this conversation going!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sidebar

our books & freebies

setting the stage for rock-star readers
raise a reader
amy mascott profile blog
subscribe teachmama

join the coolest club around:

Find Us On Social Media

Helpful Links

  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

Follow Us On Instagram

View
Open
Hot off the presses!

I've been working CRAZY hours because I'm prepping for a launch in the next two weeks. G U L P!

I'm SUPER excited, and I know you will be too.

Read more here: https://take5.teachmama.com/

#linkinbio #teachmamatake5 #bestoftheweb #take5 #coolestclubintown
View
Open
Loving my new St. Patrick’s Day 🍀 tee and eyeing about 5 others I totally want!

Remember—the more we can get our kids reading, the better! 

So find a fun and festive shirt for everyone in the fam and teach kids phrases like: 

🍀 Saint Patrick’s Day sparks JOY

☘️ Happy Go Lucky

🍀 Team Irish

☘️ Lucky Charm

🍀 Irish I was a little bit taller

☘️ Here for the shenanigans 

🍀 Lucky mama

☘️ A wee bit Irish 

and more!

Right now on Zulily you can grab tees, hoodies, dresses, pj sets, tank tops, slouchy tees, sweatshirts, sweatpants, and more starting at under $20!

Check them out: zulily.gfpv.net/rnegED

#stpatricksdaydecor #linkinbio #saintpaddysday #familyfun🍀 #irishkids #zulilypartner #raiseareader
View
Open
If you have not yet met the Buddha Board, today is your lucky day.

The Buddha Board is the ideal way to help kids find focus and to relax, and honestly every family could use one.

I would do anything some days to bring a little big of peace and calm–and zen–to our home. 

With a Buddha Board always out on a shelf, we are always just minutes away from unplugged focus and relaxation.

Have you tried one? 

Here are the deets:
https://teachmama.com/help-kids-focus-and-relax-with-the-buddha-board/

#linkinbio #buddhaboard #calmyourmind #mindfulmoments #unplugged
View
Open
Doesn’t it seem like time has become a crazy mashup of virtual-hybrid-normal-life, scattered with the *occasional* bright spot—with an overload of disappointment, confusion, and uncertainty? Like it’s hard to pinpoint what happened exactly last spring or the summer before last or even last fall?

It’s all kind of a jumbled mess?

It feels like that for me. 

But I know this for sure: spending time with these women is truly good for my soul. It’s what my heart needs. Time slows down. I can breathe. 

And it’s what I’m betting everyone needs right now—some time with good friends—sister bffs—friends like family. 

No matter what is going on in the world, these women ground me, help me feel more centered, and fill my heart with so. much. joy. 

I walked Louie this morning with what felt like lighter steps and a bigger smile on my face, and I know it’s because I spent time with beloved friends last night. 

Friends, listen to me: It’s EASY to want to hole up right now and not do much of anything—it’s dark by 5pm, it’s freezing out, it’s grey and gross outside, and we are all so tired. But one night this week or next, call a pal. 

Make plans for coffee or a meal together, and just RECONNECT with some friends. Put on a little lipstick. Dust off that bottle of perfume. Wear a big sweater over a tee shirt and leggings and put on fun earrings. It’s not that hard, but it makes a difference. 

I guarantee it will be exactly what you need and you will move forward the next few days with a brighter spirit. 

Love you, @jessicamcfadd @justicefergie and @sandie_chen so, so, SO MUCH. And love Evie too!! 

Let’s get another date on the calendar stat. 😉😍

(Of COURSE we made beautiful @eve.mcfadden pose with us last night after her dance class because we are her bloggy aunties and have known her since she was 2yo and we love her like our own.)

#wwh #bff4life #ogbloggers #sisterfriends
View
Open
Thank you @delegateericluedtke @senzucker @delegatepamqueen for meeting with Maryland @MomsDemand volunteers to discuss how we can work together to end gun violence in our communities. 

JOIN US at our next event by texting READY to 644-33 to get involved in your community!

#MDGA22 #MDpolitics #MomsAreEverywhere #DoSomething #SaySomething #BeTheChange
View
Open
As a @MomsDemand volunteer, I just met virtually with my #MDGA22 legislators to work to keep our state safe from gun violence. 

I told @delegateericluedtke @senzucker @delegatepamqueen that:

- In 1999, I was teaching English at Wilde Lake HS in Columbia, MD when the Columbine HS massacre took place. I vowed then that I would do everything I could to prevent something like that from happening again. I thought: There is NO WAY this will happen when I have children in school. Laws will change. Surely we will protect our children better.

- In 2007, I had just had my 3rd child, and a month later, the VA Tech shooting took place. I watched the news in horror and thought, please, please, PLEASE let smart people make laws to prevent this from ever happening again. PLEASE. 

- In 2012, I had three kids in elementary school--K, 1st, and 3rd grade, and my husband was an admin at a different school. That same year, 20 children and 6 adults were shot and killed at Sandy Hook ES. I joined @sandyhookpromise as soon as it was created. I thought: THIS will be the last one. No more senseless, preventable deaths.

- In 2022, just last week, at Magruder HS, where I once taught English and where my husband coached soccer, there was another shooting. This time with a ghost gun. Every day, I send my 3 children off to high school 10 minutes down the road from Magruder HS, and every day, I plead, pray, and beg God to keep them safe. 

They should not fear for their lives when they walk into school each day, nor should ANY child, any teacher, any administrator, or support staff. Schools should be safe places.

Today, we asked #Maryland lawmakers to prioritize legislation to prohibit the manufacture & sale of ghost guns: do-it-yourself weapons that can be downloaded or purchased online, bypassing the background check system that keeps us all safe. 

Please do the same. Join your local @momsdemand or @studentsdemand 

#UseYourVoice #DoSomething
#MDpolitics #MomsAreEverywhere
View
Open
Although I can’t be in Annapolis today, this Maryland @MomsDemand volunteer stands with those there in urging my legislators to protect our state from ghost guns. #MomsAreEverywhere #MDGA22 #MDpolitics

Want to get involved? 

❤️ visit momsdemandaction.org

❤️ share ANY and ALL @momsdemand @studentsdemand or @everytown posts

❤️ share any and all #MDGA22 #MDpolitics posts 

❤️ join this movement and make a difference!

#DoSomething #SaySomething #BeTheChange #EndGunViolence
View
Open
🔥 Hot off the presses 🔥

Take 5: here's what happened to me, and here's where we're going. . .

Excited about big things happening over here in 2022. 

Things may look a little different as we release and share, but if you want to stay ‘in the know’, subscribe here: https://take5.teachmama.com/

#herewego #thescoop #herearethedeets #linkinbio
View
Open
Time for your New Year’s Family Interview! 

If you haven’t done it yet, it’s OKAY. We are all feeing a little bit behind already this year. 

Be good to yourself. 

Love your people well. 

Head over and grab your *new and improved* New Year’s Family Interviews here: https://shop.teachmama.com/product/new-years-family-interview/

#newyearinterview #familyfun #easytraditions #linkinbio

Copyright © 2022 · teach mama media, llc · All Rights Reserved

  • 32
1.0K shares