Creativity

Screen Alternatives for Thanksgiving

Delaney Ruston, MD
November 20, 2018
A book with photographs

Thanksgiving is this week, and I have some ideas about how to support more face-to-face interactions and fewer retreats into all our individual devices. Rarely do I say something so prescriptive, but I’m taking a leap. I recommend for Thanksgiving that all personal portable devices go into a big basket. Also, I recommend saying that all other screens are shut down for the day (except possibly for a TV if you watch sports that day, and a shared computer, for a reason I will explain below).

So, here are some fun ideas and I am jazzed to get to do these with my family in 2 days!

First, what a perfect time to look at all those wild and crazy photos you’ve taken throughout the year and to give thanks to the experiences that have transpired. It is also a nice time to look at pictures that are actually on photographic paper. What about taking that tub of photos that you’ve never put into an album, and dump them on a table like you would a puzzle, and then everyone casually hunts for treasures. And if you don’t have access to paper photos, here is why I said one shared computer could be OK—to look at photos together.

Another wonderful thing to consider is putting on music and getting people to demonstrate the dance moves from their “time.”  Let’s undo the sad reality that in the U.S., the cross-generational bonding activity of dancing is pretty much reserved only for weddings. But we can change that, at least for one day. How about some square dancing (I loved when we did that in my elementary school), the Macarena, a few ballroom steps, or some disco moves (which is making a comeback these days).

What about cloud gazing? This TED Radio podcast is about Gavin Pretor-Pinney's Cloud Appreciation Society and all the joy and calm that comes from marveling at the clouds above, whether alone or with others. I am not sure if this would work in Seattle where I live because the sky is often one giant grey cloud, but I am motivated to do this on Thanksgiving.

Another idea for connecting with people and nature is to go outside and walk to a neighbor’s home to say thank you—thanking them for whatever you can think of—the key is the act of appreciation that we have wonderful people in our community and we are lucky to have them. I plan to take my family out on a walk and indeed do this. What a great way to build community—and even if they are out for the day, leave a note. Think how happy Mister Rogers would be... and you could come back and together watch the trailer to the record-setting documentary about him.

Board games are always fun and such a forgotten pastime. Monopoly has just released a Millennial edition where players collect “experience points” by visiting places like a meditation retreat or a 3-day concert.  The player who collects the most experiences, not money, wins. However, it is so popular that it might be impossible to get for Thanksgiving. Consider stopping by a neighbor and seeing if they have a game you could borrow.

For more inspiration check out this list of boardgames I compiled last holiday season.

For this TTT, talk about what offline activities your family likes to do during the holiday season. Here are some questions to get the conversation started:

  • What games did you play as a kid that you would like to share with your kids?
  • Ask any guests or family if they have a bin of pictures they might want to contribute for a “picture activity.”
  • What people are you thankful for in your community? How about something in nature?
  • Why do we not have more opportunities for people of all ages to dance together? It is so fun!

Now Available for Educators: A New Professional Development Resource
Thousands of schools around the world have presented Screenagers to their students, staff, and families, and many tell us they are committed to continuing the conversation around supporting screen time balance for their students. Educators can now access the film plus a 3-part Professional Development series developed by Learners Edge and Screenagers to dramatically impact the culture of learning in your school. Request more information about this 6-hour ready-to-use Professional Development module.

November 20, 2018

As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel

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Join Today - Members can screen and view our movies year-round, access new lesson plans, resources and much more!

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Our New Movie - Learn more about the third movie in the Screenagers Trilogy

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Available now - Parenting in the Screen Age, from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD

Order Here
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Find a Screening - Find a screening of our movies in your local community

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Free Book Preview - Download a free preview of "Parenting In The Screen Age" by Delaney Ruston, MD

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Join Today - Members can screen and view our movies year-round, access new lesson plans, resources and much more!

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Screenagers Under The Influence Banner

Our New Movie - Learn more about the third movie in the Screenagers Trilogy

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The Screenagers YouTube Channel - Subscribe for new videos and content from our team weekly!

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Community Screenings - Learn more about hosting your own Screenagers community screening event!

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Find a Screening - Find a screening of our movies in your local community

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Community Screenings - Learn more about hosting your own Screenagers community screening event!

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Join Today - Members can screen and view our movies year-round, access new lesson plans, resources and much more!

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Our New Movie - Learn more about the latest movie in the Screenagers Trilogy

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The Screenagers YouTube Channel - Subscribe for new videos and content from our team weekly!

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Creativity

Screen Alternatives for Thanksgiving

Delaney Ruston, MD
November 20, 2018
A book with photographs

Thanksgiving is this week, and I have some ideas about how to support more face-to-face interactions and fewer retreats into all our individual devices. Rarely do I say something so prescriptive, but I’m taking a leap. I recommend for Thanksgiving that all personal portable devices go into a big basket. Also, I recommend saying that all other screens are shut down for the day (except possibly for a TV if you watch sports that day, and a shared computer, for a reason I will explain below).

So, here are some fun ideas and I am jazzed to get to do these with my family in 2 days!

First, what a perfect time to look at all those wild and crazy photos you’ve taken throughout the year and to give thanks to the experiences that have transpired. It is also a nice time to look at pictures that are actually on photographic paper. What about taking that tub of photos that you’ve never put into an album, and dump them on a table like you would a puzzle, and then everyone casually hunts for treasures. And if you don’t have access to paper photos, here is why I said one shared computer could be OK—to look at photos together.

Another wonderful thing to consider is putting on music and getting people to demonstrate the dance moves from their “time.”  Let’s undo the sad reality that in the U.S., the cross-generational bonding activity of dancing is pretty much reserved only for weddings. But we can change that, at least for one day. How about some square dancing (I loved when we did that in my elementary school), the Macarena, a few ballroom steps, or some disco moves (which is making a comeback these days).

What about cloud gazing? This TED Radio podcast is about Gavin Pretor-Pinney's Cloud Appreciation Society and all the joy and calm that comes from marveling at the clouds above, whether alone or with others. I am not sure if this would work in Seattle where I live because the sky is often one giant grey cloud, but I am motivated to do this on Thanksgiving.

Another idea for connecting with people and nature is to go outside and walk to a neighbor’s home to say thank you—thanking them for whatever you can think of—the key is the act of appreciation that we have wonderful people in our community and we are lucky to have them. I plan to take my family out on a walk and indeed do this. What a great way to build community—and even if they are out for the day, leave a note. Think how happy Mister Rogers would be... and you could come back and together watch the trailer to the record-setting documentary about him.

Board games are always fun and such a forgotten pastime. Monopoly has just released a Millennial edition where players collect “experience points” by visiting places like a meditation retreat or a 3-day concert.  The player who collects the most experiences, not money, wins. However, it is so popular that it might be impossible to get for Thanksgiving. Consider stopping by a neighbor and seeing if they have a game you could borrow.

For more inspiration check out this list of boardgames I compiled last holiday season.

For this TTT, talk about what offline activities your family likes to do during the holiday season. Here are some questions to get the conversation started:

  • What games did you play as a kid that you would like to share with your kids?
  • Ask any guests or family if they have a bin of pictures they might want to contribute for a “picture activity.”
  • What people are you thankful for in your community? How about something in nature?
  • Why do we not have more opportunities for people of all ages to dance together? It is so fun!

Now Available for Educators: A New Professional Development Resource
Thousands of schools around the world have presented Screenagers to their students, staff, and families, and many tell us they are committed to continuing the conversation around supporting screen time balance for their students. Educators can now access the film plus a 3-part Professional Development series developed by Learners Edge and Screenagers to dramatically impact the culture of learning in your school. Request more information about this 6-hour ready-to-use Professional Development module.

November 20, 2018

As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel

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