Many of our parent conversations in the Say Yes to No campaign touch on how to handle the media in our children’s lives. We at the Institute work to provide parents with resources and information to make media a healthy, productive and fun part of family life. This week is the annual TV-Turn Off Week sponsored by the Center for Screen Time Awareness. This is a valuable time for parents and kids to take stock of their screen time use: is it too much? Are other activities sliding by? Is it just right?

With your kids, make a plan to turn off the electronic screens for entertainment this week and focus on interests and hobbies. Try a Family Game Night or check out your local park or nature center. If you are looking for ideas of family friendly places or events in your city, check out Go City Kids at www.gocitykids.com.

Click here http://www.mediafamily.org/earlychild/screen-free-activities.shtml for screen free activities from the Institute for your pre-schooler, toddler or infant. Many families have re-discovered a whole new way of being together when they shift their focus from the screens in their lives.