Mom: When Children Aren’t Glued To Screens, They Invent, Build, Stay Curious
Apr 27, 2025
It is always a joy to facilitate inter-generational conversations on media and technology, especially with young children. I really enjoyed their active engagement and creativity; they brought much joy to the adults there! I was motivated to keep working hard for their generation.
There is hope.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending an insightful parenting talk by Carol Loi on establishing healthy screen-time habits for young children. What surprised me most wasn’t just the practical tips Carol shared, but how engaged my 5-year-old daughter stayed throughout the session!
As the discussion delved into the “why” and “how” of limiting digital exposure, I encouraged her to explore a simple set of blocks. Less than 10 minutes later, she proudly presented me with her self-made “camera” 📷—a perfect reminder that imagination flourishes when given space to roam.
A few practices we’ve adopted at home:
📺 Screen time only on Sundays (brief sessions and filtered content)
🛝 Daily unplugged play (Lego, art projects, and playground time)
🍃 Family adventures (reading together, outdoor fun, and hands-on experiments)
Seeing her translate a heavier topic into her own creative project reinforced the power of play-based learning. It’s a testament to the idea that when children aren’t glued to screens, they invent, build, and stay curious.
Big thanks to Carol Loi for an engaging session—and a gentle nudge to all parents: sometimes the best screen-time strategy is simply handing over a handful of building blocks.
