Dr. Lauren Loquasto, senior vice president and chief academic officer at The Goddard School, says today's children interact with screens as part of learning and communication, not just passive consumption. A screen-free summer isn't realistic, she explains. The goal instead is teaching children that not all screen time is equal.
At The Goddard School, educators use technology intentionally to extend curiosity within their inquiry-based Wonder of Learning framework, rather than as a distraction. The key difference between passive and active engagement is a present adult who asks questions and connects screen content to the real world.
Dr. Loquasto offers five strategies for summer screen boundaries:
Create a menu of 10 to 15 mixed activities. Include imaginative play like fort building and bug hunting alongside interactive screen experiences like researching how a toy works. "Children who move fluidly between rich experiences build autonomy and internal balance," she says.
Give your child choice about when screen time happens. Ask questions like "Do you want screen time before or after dinner?" When children help choose boundaries, they follow them more reliably, Dr. Loquasto says.
Tell kids when screen time begins and ends to smooth transitions. If they push back, stay calm and hold the line. Build a small, fun ritual after screens turn off, like reading together or taking a family walk, so powering down feels less like punishment.
Model healthy phone habits yourself. Draw firm boundaries around your own device use during playtime, dinner, and the hour before bed. Dr. Loquasto says small, consistent boundaries work better than all-or-nothing approaches.
Allow exceptions when plans change, like flight delays. Explain to your child why you're making an exception, which teaches flexibility and honesty.