There are some great digital resources that engage young minds, encourage curiosity, and cultivate 21st century skills. However, time and content matter - not all media experiences are the same. Keep an eye on the clock and think about whether your child’s screen time undermines the 7 building blocks for school success:

Sense of Curiosity - As you know, children are naturally curious. If a child spends the national average of 44.5 hours a week in front of an electronic screen (screen-time), there isn't enough time to be curious and explore the real world. Don't use screen-time as an indiscriminate babysitter.

Imagination - Your child's imagination is a powerful learning tool. Over exposure to TV and other digital media stifle and restrict a child's imagination because they don't ask for participation. Make sure your child watches electronic screens in moderate amounts and find digital experiences that also encourage real world activities. In addition to screen-time, help your kids play games, make projects and read books.

Ability to Focus Attention - Children need to be able to focus attention so they can learn what is being taught. Many TV shows, video games and Internet sites require a very limited amount of attention from the viewer. Make sure you provide activities for your children that require them to pay attention. Reading, art, science and building projects, as well as outings, are all activities that reward your child for paying attention.

Ability to Maintain Attention - Too much fast-paced media trains children to always expect constant sensory stimulation. Their attention wanders when they don't have it. Avoid a steady diet of extremely fast-paced programs, movies and games, especially when children are very young.

Persistence - Sometimes it takes real persistence to complete a school assignment. TV, video games, and other media provide instant gratification. Too much media affects a child's ability to stick with an activity when things get frustrating.

Language - The ability to use spoken and written language well is essential to school success. Video games, movies and TV programs are not language-based. They are picturebased. Engage your children in conversation, read to them and expose them to the wonder of books from their earliest days.

Inner Speech - The ability to reflect and to have a private conversation with ourselves helps us think things through and control our impulses. Even though some of them are interactive, most electronic media do not engage critical thinking and therefore do not develop this skill. Encourage your kids to think before they act.

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