Technology Balance
Mixed Signals: Connection to Technology is Disconnecting Child Development
Overview
30% of children entering the school systems are developmentally delayed, and 15% of elementary children have a diagnosed mental illness. As the “gap” widens, printing, reading and math literacy become unachievable for many children. Child behavior diagnoses escalate as child aggression creates significant classroom management issues. Why? Elementary aged children use an average 8 hours per day of entertainment technology, with over 75% of children having technology in their bedrooms. Sedentary and hard wired for high speed, new millennium children can no longer pay attention or learn in traditional school settings. Children with technology addictions are increasingly referred to pediatric therapists to treat conditions associated with low tone, poor coordination, sensory dysregulation, or sensory overload. Often misdiagnosed as ADHD, these children’s primary condition of ‘technology addiction’ is not being recognized and treated. Schools are creating Virtual Classrooms, and homes are creating Virtual Families, further alienating children from essential human connection and attachment that is the basis for all learning. Children are our future, yet choices made today raise the question: are children no longer sustainable?
Goal
Mixed Signals raises awareness regarding the damaging impact of technology on child development and academic performance, and provides assessment and intervention tools and techniques to manage balance between activities children need for growth and success with technology use. Balanced Technology Management initiatives are provided for clinics, schools, homes and community settings to create ’sustainable’ futures for all children.
Learning Outcomes
- Relate current technology research to child physical, mental, social and academic impairments
- Explore the effects of media violence and cyberbullying on child aggression behavior
- Recognize parent, teacher, therapist and physician trend to diagnose and drug child behavior
- Evaluate technology use parameters using the technology screen
- Implement balanced technology management and apply clinic, school and home reduction strategies
Handouts
Technology Screen
Ten Steps to Unplug Your Children from Technology
Parent Unplug’in Brochure
Unplug – Don’t Drug Policy Initiative
Who should attend?
Parents, teachers, administrators, special education staff, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, physical therapists, counsellors, physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and child care providers. Foundation Series Workshops are designed to be introductory level for therapists, intermediate for teachers and advanced for parents, child care workers and teaching assistants.
How to register
Register for scheduled Foundation Series Workshops:
- Online at www.zoneinworkshops.com/schedule
- Print the workshop descriptor and fax page two to 1-877-8zonein
- Phone 1-888-8zonein
- Email info@zonein.ca
- Print the workshop descriptor and mail page two to Zone’in at 6840 Seaview Rd, Sechelt, BC Canada V0N3A4
Sponsor a workshop
Sponsor a workshop in your own community and receive a free Zone’in, Move’in or Unplug’in program for school or home use. Contact Amy for the details!
Evidence based – Research referenced – Strategy focused