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Children in today's society are often found with their heads buried in their cellphones, iPads -- or a screen of some sort -- or the most recent video game with their friends. Today's "childhoods" aren't necessarily what they used to be, when kids were out until dark interacting with friends daily.
So, when a local school steps up and attempts to separate kids from their electronics, even if it's just for an hour, it's certainly something this newspaper can support wholeheartedly.
Just recently, Seaborn Elementary in the Weathersfield Local School District began hosting a weekly group called the Disconnect Club. Kids who attend get rid of their electronic devices for an hour to play board games and socialize with friends and classmates. Stephanie Dota, who is a fifth- and sixth-grade social studies teacher and student council adviser at Seaborn, said it allows kids "to get back to the basics of childhood."
"We want kids to disconnect from their devices," Dota told our reporter. "Get off their computers. Put their phones away."
Dota's approach and philosophy for the club is music to our ears. While we understand the importance of technology in today's society, kids should still be enjoying their childhood, socializing with friends and learning about life outside of what a small electronic screen can present. It also allows children to take an important approach to their mental and physical health.
According to research from the National Health Institute, excessive screen usage can lead to problems in social-emotional development, including obesity, sleep disturbances, depression and anxiety. It can also impair emotional comprehension, promote aggressive behavior and hinder social and emotional competence.
So, when kids voluntarily step away from their screens for an hour or more to play games like Connect Four, Jenga Giant and other various card games, it's a positive. They receive the opportunity to experience competition and problem-solving as they learn how to play the games and the skills involved.
Programs similar to the Disconnect Club are encouraged by this newspaper and we ask that other schools follow suit, as children can benefit tremendously by looking up from their screens and experiencing things that challenge them in other ways.
editorial@vindy.com