Screen Time: The Good, The Bad & The Detox
Music & Art Classes, Lessons and Camps with Austin Arts Academy Encourage Connection & Less Screen Time
Course Catalog
Course Descriptions
Have you ever found yourself constantly checking your social media accounts directly after you’ve posted? Wondering who liked or shared it, and curious to read what the comments are? Most of us have probably done this a time or two.
Did you know that this habit is more than just a form of wondering or curiosity?
The Bad and the Good Surrounding Screen Time…
No one can deny that technology has made a lot of things more convenient and improved our way of life in certain ways, but unfortunately there are also some downfalls.
A segment of an article Ms. Rebekah recently shared with me caught my attention…
“Social media actually will activate certain parts of the brain that are called the reward pathways. These are pathways that drive appetite. So imagine the more you click, the more you check your Instagram account and your Twitter account, that process is actually strengthening the reward pathways and strengthening the appetite for more. So we have a situation going on where the actual behavior around social media is increasing the appetite for social media, even though the effect of social media on things like self-esteem, sleep and well-being are profound and not positive”
(Source NPR: Parents worry that their kids might struggle with anxiety and depression, report says)
Whoa… that’s interesting and makes me stop and wonder, what can we do about it?
But first, lets talk a little bit more about the good and the bad.
The Bad
While technology has made things more convenient, it’s also led to more time spent looking at a screen. The effects of screen time on both adults and children can be detrimental, affecting health, wellness and overall happiness.
The pandemic added the elements of solitude, anxiety and isolation, which led to an increased amount of time spent on devices.
The combination of these factors leads to a concern around the overall well-being and mental health of everyone.
The Good
While screen time has increased, an improved way of life that stems from technology should not be overlooked.
Apps, online educational programs, and virtual learning experiences can provide valuable online tools that expand children’s capacity to absorb information otherwise unavailable to them, therefore making screen time justifiable and beneficial.
The line between the good and the bad surrounding screen time can get a little blurry. So what can we do about it?
One thing is for sure, monitoring screen time and taking time away from technology benefits everyone involved.
One simple fix is to avoid screens for at least 2 hours before bed, so that you’re mind isn’t stimulated before sleep, which helps improve quality of sleep.
A more intense solution is the digital detox.
The Detox
Like too much sugar, or too much wine, we feel the affects after over consumption. So a detox becomes necessary. Remove the problem and replace it with a healthier habit.
Think about that time you forgot your phone and didn’t have it for a few hours, or a more extreme case where you broke your phone and couldn’t get it replaced right away so you went a couple days without it. You adapted and probably felt a bit refreshed giving your energy back to other things besides your phone.
A digital detox can be a few hours a day, one day a week, or as much as a few days dedicated to screen free time.
Use that time to redirect your energy and do something you enjoy. Take a walk. Read a book. Interact with others. Have a conversation. Learn something new. Listen to music. Dance in the living room.
Want more ideas on how to be creative? Read more….
You’ll feel the difference.
Now think about how technology is affecting your kids. The same concepts apply to them.
At Austin Arts Academy, we use both hands-on learning experiences and programs that utilize technology, because, as we mentioned, it expands the the knowledge and tools available, but we appreciate that balance is necessary too.
That’s why our Group Classes, Private Lessons, Holiday Camps, & Summer Camps utilize a combination of both, but mostly focus on social interaction and learning in a fun and engaging way.
Read more about the benefits of fun and engaging classes….
Not sure whether to choose group classes or private lessons? Read More…
Music & Art Classes, Lessons and Camps with Austin Arts Academy Encourage Connection & Less Screen Time
As the NPR article points out, it’s important for you to “bond with others that can make you feel the sunshine, make you feel the light in your life. Those things make you feel strong. And those are the kinds of things that build resilience.”
We hear many parents say that their kids spend too much time on screens during breaks or after school. Music & Art Fun: School Holiday Camps & Summer Camps at Austin Arts Academy provide an opportunity for human interaction where your children can explore and discover talents, without a screen.
Read more about what people have to say about classes and lessons with Austin Arts Academy…
Check out Our Upcoming Music and Art Camps…
Ages 6-12 MUSIC & ART FUN: School Holiday Camps
Location: Steiner Ranch Studio Space at 10801 Rush Road, Unit B (downstairs)
No Art or Music experience is necessary. School Holiday Camps are open to all students ages 6-12, whether they take lessons or classes with us or not.
Camp | Friday, April 7 | 10am - 2pm | Ages 6 - 12 | $99
Camp | Monday, April 10 | 9am - 1pm | Ages 6 - 12 | $99
Music & Art Fun: School Holiday Camps are held during scheduled LISD school calendar holidays and are half-days filled with fun and engaging music & art activities and projects for students ages 6-12 years old. Student’s can look forward to creating art, decorating cookies, making music and more. Join the Fun!
Ages 6-12 ART: Summer Art Camps & Themes
Location: Steiner Ranch Studio Space at 10801 Rush Road, Unit B (downstairs)
Under the Sea | June 12 - 16 | 9am - 1pm | Ages 6 - 12 | $395
Sweet Treats | June 19 - 23 | 9am - 1pm | Ages 6 - 12 | $395
To Infinity and Beyond | June 26 - 39 | 9am - 1pm | Ages 6 - 12 | $395
Under the Sea | July 17 - 21 | 9am - 1pm | Ages 6 - 12 | $395
Sweet Treats | July 24 - 28 | 9am - 1pm | Ages 6 - 12 | $395
To Infinity and Beyond | August 7 - 11 | 9am - 1pm | Ages 6 - 12 | $395
Summer Art Camps are weekly sessions with a fun and engaging theme for each week. During these half-day classes, students ages 6-12 years old will enjoy a hands-on learning experience using different art mediums, such as hand building, print-making and painting techniques that build upon each other day-by-day. Student’s can look forward to themes like Under the Sea, Sweet Treats and To Infinity and Beyond. No art experience is necessary. Our camps are open to all students, they do not need to be in lessons or classes with Austin Arts Academy to attend. Join the Fun!
Under the Sea: Your artist is invited to join us as we dive under the sea to explore the tranquil world of mermaids, mermen, sea turtles and lively ocean foliage. Artists will use print-making, hand-building and painting techniques to create a hanging work of art that is filled with sparkly mermaids, tranquil sea turtles, colorful coral and patterned shells.
Sweet Treats: Tea party anyone? Your child is invited to create colorful canvas paintings of their favorite animal, craft papier-mâché tea cups, puffy paint cupcakes, colorful paper saucers, sparkling jewelry and festive hats and crowns perfect for the fanciest of tea parties!
To Infinity and Beyond: Your child is invited to join our Space Explorers art unit! Artists explore the colors and textures of galaxies, stars, planets and space while creating a galaxy filled with swirling colors, sparkly bits and stellar planets. Printmaking techniques bring the planets to life while hand drawn rockets add a fiery flair and individual experience for each artist.
Join us for one or more of our classes this spring and summer and notice the difference in your child as they spend less time on their screens!
You can see all of our current offerings in our Course Catalog and descriptions of these current offerings in our Course Descriptions.
Written by Melissa Wolken
Contributing Writer, Culture Curator, and Admin Team Member
At Austin Arts Academy, we change the way you learn Music, Art, & Dance from rigid or boring to fun and engaging-an experience students will love at any age.
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