{"id":10017,"date":"2019-06-12T08:00:36","date_gmt":"2019-06-12T07:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/screentimelabs.com\/?p=10017"},"modified":"2022-03-18T05:01:28","modified_gmt":"2022-03-18T05:01:28","slug":"manage-kids-technology-to-prevent-the-summer-slide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/screentimelabs.com\/blog\/manage-kids-technology-to-prevent-the-summer-slide\/","title":{"rendered":"Manage Kids’ Technology to Prevent the ‘Summer Slide’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Child<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Get A Handle On The Problem<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not all “slides” are created equal. For example, kids who are good readers with or without school assignments will maintain their language skills. But not many children solve polynomial equations or do chemistry experiments for fun, so those might slip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, most kids don’t need to complete a certificate course over the summer. Focusing on maintenance of skills, as opposed to improving them, is a good approach. A few hours of fun activities at a camp, or tutoring during the hottest parts of the day, can keep kids mentally and physically on the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Balance Structured and Unstructured Time<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summer comes with gobs of free time for kids, and without structure, that time can quickly be filled<\/a> by video games, playing on the phone, and watching TV all day. While kids deserve some unstructured time every day just like the rest of us, structure is also good. Use parental control apps to limit when they can play games or watch video, and to enforce a schedule of outside, or at least non-screen, time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also keep in mind structured time doesn’t have to be boring. Day camp or time playing outside with friends counts as \u201cstructured\u201d in the summer, especially as social skills need to be maintained too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Children