What is Digital Health and Wellness?The U.S. Department of Education states that technology "infuses classrooms with digital learning tools, such as computers and hand held devices; expands course offerings, experiences, and learning materials; supports learning 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; builds 21st century skills; increases student engagement and motivation; and accelerates learning." (2021).
In the classroom, these benefits are evident and educators are often eager to incorporate technology. How can you teach your students to be Digital Citizens without it?! However, there is one component of Digital Citizenship that happens offline, and that is Digital Health and Wellness. |
Why is Digital Health and Wellness Important?
Prior to the Coronavirus Pandemic, five to eight year old children spent an average of 3 hours and 5 minutes using screen media- including television, video games, and other digital media- everyday (Rideout, 2020). And although the research is still being compiled, we know that screen time has increased over the past year. This is a problem since children's brains are still developing. They may be more vulnerable to the lasting physical and psychological effects of too much technology use. However, it's never to early to teach young students the awareness and habits they need to maintain Digital Health and Wellness.
Resources for Teaching Digital Health and Wellness
Teaching students about Digital Health and Wellness in a K-2 setting is teaching them how to balance their online and offline activities. Common Sense Education has made a FREE Digital Citizenship Curriculum, with an entire section devoted to "Media Balance and Well-Being." This curriculum provides songs, poems, videos, lessons, and printable resources (like this coloring book!). These lessons and activities are quick and engaging, and can really help to guide your Digital Health and Wellness instruction. Below are a few examples of the resources created by Common Sense Education.
Common Sense Education, 2019
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Common Sense Education, 2019
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Another way to teach Digital Health and Wellness is by using digital tools to support physical health and wellness. Incorporating movement and brain breaks are great ways to get your students up and moving throughout the day. These breaks are short and can include academic content as well. Some sites that offer great movement break videos are:
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Finally, the best way to support Digital Health and Wellness is to get families involved as well. Check to see if your school offers any resources or makes any statements regarding Digital Health and Wellness in their Acceptable Use Policy. You can also send home this flyer from Common Sense Education that gives families tips to "Help Kids Balance Their Media Lives." It's a small start that can make a big difference!
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Digital Citizenship with Ms. G by Leela Golgolab is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.