Hadley, Finley, Tilly, and Scotia Crosby lived an extraordinary 11-month screen-free family odyssey on the seas that drew to an end in July 2017.

As an early education teacher for the past 25 years and a parent of four children, I have witnessed a change in the way children play: decreased problem solving skills, a lack of compassion toward others, an increase in obesity, a lack of experience with the outdoors and scripted play that lacks imagination.

Students in Alaska went Screen-Free at school. Photo courtesy Kat Sorenson/Peninsula Clarion. During Screen-Free Week, children and families are encouraged to unplug from entertainment screens. But what if children unplugged during the school day as well? From...

If we knew then what we know now, we would have deliberately carved out more time for family conversations and activities in real life.

By all accounts Screen-Free Week 2017 was bigger and better for more children and families than ever!

Is your toddler sleeping with his iPad? Is your grade-schooler always playing with your phone? Is your middle-schooler staying inside to play Minecraft every day?

Times have changed. Life is more serious for today’s children: they have learned about the impact of humans on the earth, food allergies, and the need for sunscreen and antibacterial soap.