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Screen Less Play More

Screen Less Play More

De : Cynthia Dvorak
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 Parenting doesn't have to feel overwhelming — especially when it comes to screens. Screen Less Play More is the podcast that helps modern parents raise healthy, balanced, and confident kids in a world dominated by technology. Hosted by Cynthia Dvorak, each episode blends practical strategies, expert interviews, and the latest child-development research on screen time, play, mental health, digital habits, and healthy tech boundaries. You'll learn how to reduce screen use without power struggles, encourage independent and imaginative play, and support your child's development from the baby years through the teen years. We will give you screen free activities to try, as well as book recommendations on the best parenting books about screen time. If you've ever wondered how to manage phones, gaming, social media, or kids' tech requests — or how to bring back more free play, outdoor time, creativity, and childhood joy — this show gives you clear, realistic answers. Discover why unstructured play and risky play boosts emotional resilience, how nature supports healthy brain development, and what parents can do to prevent screen overuse, digital addiction, and burnout. This is the place for busy moms and dads to learn about digital health, healthy screen habits, and how to manage kids and technology. We give you ideas for screen-free activities, screen-free Sunday, and family dinner. We cover topics from friluftsliv outdoor lifestyle, to critical thinking for kids, to screen free entertainment. We also cover EdTech and it's influence on modern schools, why you might want to opt-out, and how to manage Chromebooks and laptops in the classroom. Ed Tech is not technology education, and we explain the difference to you and how kids can learn valuable media literacy. We also stress the importance of bell to bell cell phone bans in schools, as well as why more play and recess can be the solution to slumping test scores. Cynthia uses her experience as a mom of two neurodivergent boys to help you manage screen time in regards to ADHD, autism, Asperger syndrome, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and other learning differences. She knows what works for her family, and will help yours too! You'll hear episodes on: Age-appropriate screen time guidelines The negative effects of too much screen time. Helping kids who are struggling with gaming or social media, including addiction. Building healthier tech habits as a family. What are the recommended screen time limits for children by age? Play-based learning, Montessori/Waldorf/Reggio Emilia and homeschool approaches. Encouraging outdoor play in all weather. Is social media safe? Can I make social media safe? What are the best parental controls for smartphones? How to make room for boredom, creativity, and independence How to reduce screen time without fights. Raising resilient, curious, emotionally healthy kids. Simple, screen-free activities toddlers, preschoolers, and older kids love, plus the screen-free toys you can use to get some rest as a parent. Whether you're parenting babies, toddlers, elementary kids, tweens, or teens, Screen Less Play More gives you inspiring ideas and relatable conversations to help your family thrive. If you're a busy parent wanting more connection, more play, and fewer tech battles — you're in the right place. Take a listen, screen a little less, and play a little more — your kids' childhood depends on it. Website: screenlessplaymore.com Instagram & Facebook: @screenlessplaymore screenless playmore YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore Substack: https://screenlessplaymorepodcast.substack.com/2025 Parentalité Relations
Épisodes
  • Why Kids Need Dirt, Danger, and the Outdoors (Even If They'd Rather Be on Screens)

    Why Kids Need Dirt, Danger, and the Outdoors (Even If They'd Rather Be on Screens)
    Mar 11 2026

    Are screens, busy schedules, and modern life keeping your kids indoors? In this episode of Screen Less Play More, Cynthia talks with "Backwoods Mama" Josée Bergeron, author of Beyond the Front Door, about why outdoor play, nature connection, and even a little risky play are essential for raising happy, healthy kids.

    It all started with a moment many parents can relate to: complete overwhelm. One evening, pregnant and exhausted, Josée walked out of her house and drove to a quiet lake- and jumped in the frigid water! That moment sparked a powerful realization that her family had become disconnected from nature.

    In this conversation, we explore how parents and teachers can bring outdoor play back into everyday life, even if they live in cities, have busy schedules, or struggle with kids who prefer screens.

    On this episode of Screen Less Play More parents and caregivers and educators will learn:

    • Why kids desperately need outdoor play and nature time
    • The three biggest barriers keeping families indoors: cities, schedules, and screens
    • Simple ways to reduce screen time and get kids outside without adding stress
    • Easy nature activities for kids like seed bombs, noticing walks, dandilion playdough, and mud kitchens
    • How risky play and unstructured outdoor play build independence and confidence
    • Why nature connection improves kids' mental health, focus, and immune systems
    • Practical ways to encourage teens to spend time outdoors

    Josée also shares creative spring outdoor ideas for families, including dandelion play-dough, gardening with kids, nature walks, and backyard exploration.

    If you want your children to love nature, play outside more, and develop independence, this episode is full of practical ideas any parent can start today.

    Tune in to the best mom podcast and best dad podcast to learn why nature is closer than you think, and small moments outside can change everything.

    Welcome to the Screen Less Play More podcast — the best parenting podcast for raising balanced, confident kids in the digital age by reducing screen time, managing gaming and social media, and restoring play-based childhoods.

    Hosted by Cynthia Dvorak of ScreenLessPlayMore.com, we share expert advice and research-backed strategies to help parents create healthy screen habits, set realistic tech boundaries, and build stronger family connection without constant monitoring or power struggles. Each episode gives you practical tools for reducing screen time battles, ensuring online safety for kids, and age-appropriate digital limits. We discuss if there is such thing as healthy screen time, and what are some good guidelines for screen time by age. It's the podcast for moms and the podcast for dads who care about keeping kids balanced and brilliant!

    What's the best podcast about parenting, play, and screens? Check out the top 6 episodes from 2025 of Screen Less Play More : https://screenlessplaymore.com/top-rated-parenting-podcast-episodes-of-the-year-our-most-listened-most-loved-conversations/

    Thanks for listening! If you click "follow" you'll make sure to never miss an episode! Screenless playmore

    More about Screen Less Play More, the best parenting podcast about kids and screens:

    https://screenlessplaymore.com/

    Substack

    Youtube
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    30 min
  • Too Much Screen Time At School? Why Parents Are Suing Education Technology Apps - Emily Cherkin

    Too Much Screen Time At School? Why Parents Are Suing Education Technology Apps - Emily Cherkin
    Mar 4 2026
    Why is educational technology at school different, and potentially more dangerous than screen time at home? Emily Cherkin explains why edtech is not the solution it promised to be. Kids are getting on YouTube, Discord, and unrestricted internet access at school—and parents are being left in the dark. In this bonus episode of The Screen Less Play More Podcast, host Cynthia Dvorak sits down with Emily Cherkin, nationally known as The Screen Time Consultant, to unpack what's really happening inside tech-heavy classrooms—and why parents should be paying close attention. Emily recently testified before the U.S. Senate on the harms of EdTech, and in this conversation, she explains how school-issued iPads and classroom technology are exposing kids to online predators, violent content, self-harm videos, spam, and misinformation—often during the school day. What many parents assume is "safe, educational screen time" may actually be putting children at serious cognitive, emotional, and developmental risk. Parents are often told that classroom technology, 1:1 devices, Chromebooks, and school-issued iPads are "safe" and "educational." But the research shows that edtech is making kids more distracted, making them dumber, stealing personal information, and exposing them to online danger. Emily also explains her class action lawsuit against PowerSchool. PowerSchool products including Schoology and Naviance are used by the vast majority of U.S. public schools. The lawsuit raises serious concerns about student data privacy, children's data collection, parental consent, and whether student information is being monetized by EdTech companies. In this episode, we discuss: iPads in the classroom and elementary school screen time Why EdTech in schools is replacing human instruction instead of supporting it How excessive screen time at school affects focus, behavior, emotional regulation, and social skills Why kids and young adults are struggling with eye contact, communication, empathy, and real-world human interaction Why most media literacy programs fail—and how real critical thinking can be taught without screens How misinformation, deepfakes, and AI tools like ChatGPT make truth harder for kids to recognize How media literacy has been co-opted by tech companies and why true critical thinking does not require a screen What parents need to understand about misinformation, deepfakes, AI tools like ChatGPT, and truth in the digital age This conversation is essential listening for parents worried about: Screen time and child development Technology in elementary school EdTech data privacy and student surveillance Online safety for kids at school Digital addiction, attention issues, and emotional dysregulation Public school iPads and 1:1 device programs and Chromebooks This episode is not anti-technology. It is pro-child, pro-parent, and pro-informed consent. 🎧 If you've ever searched: "Are iPads bad for kids?" "Too much screen time at school" "EdTech dangers" "YouTube access in schools" "Student data privacy apps" "Should kids use iPads in elementary school?" This episode answers those questions!! Emily Cherkin is the author of The Screen Time Solution and writes on Substack at First Fish Chronicles. 🌱 Learn more about reducing screen time and increasing play at screenlessplaymore.com. Subscribe, follow, and share to help other parents find trusted information about screen time, EdTech, and raising healthy kids in a digital world. More about Screen Less Play More, the best parenting podcast about kids and screens: https://screenlessplaymore.com/ Substack Youtube Welcome to the Screen Less Play More podcast — the best parenting podcast for raising balanced, confident kids in the digital age by reducing screen time, managing gaming and social media, and restoring play-based childhoods. Hosted by Cynthia Dvorak of ScreenLessPlayMore.com, we share expert advice and research-backed strategies to help parents create healthy screen habits, set realistic tech boundaries, and build stronger family connection without constant monitoring or power struggles. Each episode gives you practical tools for reducing screen time battles, ensuring online safety for kids, and age-appropriate digital limits. We discuss if there is such thing as healthy screen time, and what are some good guidelines for screen time by age. It's the podcast for moms and the podcast for dads who care about keeping kids balanced and brilliant! What's the best parenting podcast about play and screens? Check out the top 6 episodes from 2025 of Screen Less Play More : https://screenlessplaymore.com/top-rated-parenting-podcast-episodes-of-the-year-our-most-listened-most-loved-conversations/ Thanks for listening! If you click "follow" you'll make sure to never miss an episode! Screenless playmore
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    12 min
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