Unplug and Play!
Play, dance, read, cook–whatever inspires joy between you and your child! All Children Thrive (ACT), collaborating with more than 30 community-based organizations, encourages all parents in Long Beach to unplug from technology and actively engage with their children.
Technology is an integral part of life for American families and can help busy parents better manage kids’ schedules and stay connected with them. Yet, data from a Nielson Company study before COVID-19 stay-at-home orders shows that on average, in America, we spend one-third of our waking hours on our technological devices. Our increased focus on technology can become a barrier to forming close bonds between a parent and child. Highlights Magazine’s 2014 State of the Kid survey revealed that 62% of kids think parents are too distracted to listen, and children reported that cell phones are the biggest distractors.
Pandemic conditions have caused huge stressors on everyone’s lives, especially families with young children. ACT was formed with a grant from the California Accountable Communities for Health Initiative (CACHI) and operates through the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services. The partner agencies recognized that with the heightened pressures put on parents to work, teach their children, and manage their households, sometimes tempers may erupt. Being aware of family and parenting resources, including classes, has never been more important.
Knowing how to keep calm with multiple demands on your time and energy takes practice, but there are techniques parents can learn to lead the household in a peaceful and effective way. Several agencies nearby offer parenting classes that are open now. See the links under PARENT RESOURCES.
This website serves to connect the community to parenting resources and multiple ways to Unplug and Play!