1 of 12

How to Make Meaningful Family Connections Using Media and Tech

Welcome!

Young Kids & Screens: Healthy Development in the Digital Age

2 of 12

How to Make Meaningful Family Connections Using Media and Tech

In this workshop, we will reflect on:�

The different types of media: passive, interactive, and creative.
Ways to create a positive and educational co-viewing/co-playing experience with our children.
Strategies to use with kids when using media to help bond, draw connections, share ideas, and express their feelings.

commonsensemedia.org

3 of 12

What is media?

commonsensemedia.org

4 of 12

Mindless watching

Scrolling

On autopilot

Co-viewing, Learning

Problem-solving

Video-chatting

Participating with on-screen characters

Creating

Editing, Designing

Making videos

Coding

Passive

Interactive

Creative

Not all screen time is created equal

commonsensemedia.org

5 of 12

Key Vocabulary: Co-Use

Co-use is the practice of using �media together.

Co-use includes:

Co-viewing television, videos,�or movies
Co-playing apps or video games

Co-use can transform a passive media activity into an interactive one!

commonsensemedia.org

6 of 12

What are some ways I co-use media with my child?

Does it tend to be more passive, interactive, or creative?

What are some benefits and challenges of each type?

Discuss

commonsensemedia.org

Let's talk about how we engage our kids while watching a show or video or playing a game. What are some ways you co-view or co-play with your kids? Does it tend to be more passive, interactive, or creative? Discuss examples of each and some benefits and challenges.

Choose from these discussion strategies based on the size and dynamic of the group (or come up with your own):

Everyone shares together as a group.
Participants turn and talk to their neighbors. Then a few volunteers share with the whole group.

If participants need help brainstorming, you can ask these questions:

Do you watch shows or movies together?
Do you talk about what you're watching during or afterward?
Do you play apps or video games together?
What kinds of interactions do you have when you co-play apps or video games?

7 of 12

To watch this video on the Common Sense website, click here.

8 of 12

Asking questions when co-using media can strengthen early childhood life skills, including:

Focusing their attention.
Working toward goals.
Practicing patience and taking turns.
Switching gears during transitions.
Taking on challenges.
Seeing things from another person’s perspective.
Remembering information.
Making connections.
Thinking critically.

commonsensemedia.org

9 of 12

How does watching this show make you feel?

Why do you like (or not like) this show?

Can you describe the characters in this show? Are the characters funny, joyful, sad, angry, or energetic? How do you know? �

Where else have you seen something like this? Does this story remind you of anything?�

Which character would you like to be friends with? Why?�

What do you think is happening in the story now?

What do you think will happen next?

What was your favorite part?�

What questions do you have? �

What do you want to learn more about?

Open-Ended Questions for Co-Use

commonsensemedia.org

You can use open-ended questions before, during, or after co-using media with your child to help enhance these life skills. Some questions you can ask include:

How does watching this show make you feel?
Why do you like (or not like) this show?
Can you describe the characters in this show? Give examples: Are the characters funny, joyful, sad, angry, or energetic? How do you know?
Where else have you seen something like this? Does this story remind you of anything?
Which character would you like to be friends with? Why?
What do you think is happening in the story now?
What do you think will happen next?
What was your favorite part?
What questions do you have?
What do you want to learn more about?

You can also ask them questions that help them draw connections between what they see on the screen and the real world. Can you think of any other questions you could add?

Call on volunteers to share ideas with the whole group.

These question cards are yours to take home. You can cut them out and put them somewhere easy to access when you're co-using media with your child. You can even make a game with the cards -- you pick one to ask your child, and they pick one to ask you!

10 of 12

To watch this video on the Common Sense website, click here.

Now let's practice using these questions! We're going to watch a short video, and then use it in a role-playing exercise. While you're watching the video, think of ways you might engage in co-viewing with your child.

Show video: How Does Technology Make You Feel?

For the role-playing exercise, we're going to get into pairs, and take turns playing the grown-up or the child. Practice using these discussion questions to spark conversations with your child about the video we just watched.

Choose from these discussion strategies based on the size and dynamic of the group (or come up with your own):

Participants turn and talk to their neighbors. Then a few volunteers demonstrate the role-play in front of the whole group.
For a small group of participants, you may be able to have all partners demonstrate in front of the group.

11 of 12

Thank You

Closing Ref lection:

Commit to at least one time this week when you will use media TOGETHER with your child. Already doing that? Set a bigger goal!

For our final reflection, let's set some goals for ourselves.

I want you to think about your family's media routines. Most of us have some regular times when our children are watching shows or movies or playing video games. Maybe it's a Friday night movie or Saturday morning cartoons.

Can you think of at least one time this coming week when you can commit to using media TOGETHER with your child? Turn to your neighbor and share your goal for co-using media with your child.

Give participants a few minutes to reflect and share. Ask for volunteers to share their goal with the group.

And for those times when your child uses media on their own, I encourage you to ask them questions about the show, video, movie, or game afterward. Even conversations after the fact can benefit their healthy development.

12 of 12

Thank you!

Please complete this short survey:

https://comsen.se/survey