7-day program for parents and kids based on Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory

7-day program for parents and kids based on Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory

Here’s a 7-day program for parents and kids based on Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory. Each day focuses on one or more of the four processes: Attention, Retention, Production, and Motivation. The program will involve simple, engaging activities to help both parents and kids reduce screen time while building healthy habits.

Day 1: Awareness and Attention

Goal: Help kids and parents pay attention to their current screen habits.

  • Activity 1: Family Screen Time Discussion

    • Have a family discussion about how much time is spent watching TV, playing video games, or using devices. Ask everyone to share their typical screen habits.
    • Example Question: "How much time do you think you spend watching TV every day?"

  • Activity 2: Create a Family Screen Time Log

    • Print out a simple log where each family member records their screen time for the next 7 days. This will bring attention to the current usage patterns.
    • Supplies Needed: Paper or a whiteboard for the log.

Day 2: Understanding Consequences (Attention and Retention)

Goal: Help kids and parents recognize the effects of too much screen time.

  • Activity 1: Pros and Cons of Screen Time

    • As a family, make two lists: "What we like about screen time" and "What happens when we spend too much time on screens." This helps parents and kids pay attention to the impact of their habits and retain the lessons.
    • Example Pros: Entertainment, learning new things.
    • Example Cons: Less time for physical activity, poor sleep.

  • Activity 2: Drawing or Writing Exercise for Kids

    • Ask kids to draw or write about something they like to do instead of using screens. This encourages them to think of alternatives to screen time.
    • Supplies Needed: Drawing materials or notebook for writing.

Day 3: Setting Goals (Retention and Production)

Goal: Help the family remember what they've learned and start applying it.

  • Activity 1: Create a Family Screen Time Budget

    • Based on your screen time log from Day 1, set realistic screen time goals for each family member. For example, limit TV watching to 1 hour on weekdays and 2 hours on weekends.
    • Write down everyone’s goals to reinforce retention and commitment.
    • Supplies Needed: Paper or whiteboard for goals.

  • Activity 2: Plan Screen-Free Activities

    • Each family member comes up with one screen-free activity to do this week (e.g., reading a book, going for a walk, playing board games).
    • Example Activities: Play a board game, cook together, or take a family walk after dinner.

Day 4: Practice and Feedback (Production)

Goal: Help kids and parents practice their screen time limits with support.

  • Activity 1: Screen-Free Evening Challenge

    • Set aside one evening where the entire family goes without screens. This allows everyone to practice managing their screen time. During this time, engage in one of the screen-free activities you planned on Day 3.
    • Reflection: Afterward, discuss how everyone felt during the screen-free time. Was it easier or harder than expected?

  • Activity 2: Journaling

    • Have kids and parents journal about how they spent their time without screens. This reinforces the behavior and helps with retention.

Day 5: Encouragement and Motivation

Goal: Keep everyone motivated by recognizing their progress.

  • Activity 1: Positive Reinforcement

    • Reward everyone’s efforts. For kids, it could be a sticker or a small treat for meeting their screen time goals. For parents, acknowledge each other’s success in staying screen-free. This boosts motivation.
    • Supplies Needed: Stickers or small rewards for kids.

  • Activity 2: Family SMART Talk

    • Have a brief family meeting where each person talks about one thing they did well in limiting screen time and what they could improve. This promotes self-efficacy by showing that small wins matter.

Day 6: Expanding the Program (Attention and Retention)

Goal: Help kids apply what they’ve learned to their broader social circle.

  • Activity 1: Advocate for Screen-Free Activities

    • Encourage kids to invite a friend to join them in a screen-free activity, like playing outside or drawing. Teaching someone else reinforces the child’s retention and boosts their self-efficacy.
    • Reflection: Afterward, ask kids how it felt to lead by example and suggest screen-free fun.

  • Activity 2: Family Letter to Younger Students

    • Similar to the SMART program, have kids write a letter or create a short video for younger siblings or students about how they’re reducing screen time. This teaches advocacy and reinforces the behavior by helping them articulate their experience.

Day 7: Reflection and Long-Term Goals (Motivation and Production)

Goal: Reflect on the progress made and set longer-term goals.

  • Activity 1: Reflect on the Week

    • As a family, discuss what you’ve learned and how the screen time reduction has impacted everyone’s day-to-day life. What was easier than expected? What challenges did you face?
    • Example Question: "How did it feel to spend less time in front of the screen this week? What would you like to do next?"

  • Activity 2: Set Long-Term Screen Time Goals

    • Now that everyone has practiced reducing their screen time, set long-term goals. For example, make the screen-free evening a regular weekly event or limit screen time to weekends only.
    • Celebrate: End the week with a family celebration—whether it’s a fun outing, a special meal, or a movie night with set screen limits.

Summary of Goals for Each Day:

  1. Day 1: Raise awareness by tracking screen time.
  2. Day 2: Understand the impact of screen time through discussions and drawing.
  3. Day 3: Set realistic screen time goals and plan alternative activities.
  4. Day 4: Practice limiting screen time with a screen-free evening challenge.
  5. Day 5: Keep motivation high through rewards and family reflection.
  6. Day 6: Expand the practice by encouraging kids to lead by example.
  7. Day 7: Reflect on the week’s progress and set long-term goals.

This 7-day program helps families reduce screen time by using Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory principles—attention, retention, production, and motivation. Each day builds on the previous one, ensuring that the lessons are learned, practiced, and reinforced through both individual and family activities

 

Here’s a simple reward printout template based on the 7-day program. You can print this and use it as a visual tracker and motivator for kids and parents. The reward system encourages children and parents to stay consistent in reducing screen time, tracking their efforts, and celebrating their successes.

SMART Screen Time Challenge: 7-Day Reward Tracker

Family Name: _____________________

Goal: Reduce screen time and enjoy more quality time together!

Day 1: Family Screen Time Log

Complete the screen time log today!

☐ Everyone filled in their screen time log!

Reward:
✨ Sticker or small treat for each family member!

Day 2: Pros and Cons of Screen Time

Discuss screen time and alternatives.

☐ Family discussion completed.
☐ Kids drew or wrote alternatives to screen time.

Reward:
✨ Extra playtime or a special snack!

Day 3: Setting Screen Time Goals

Create a family screen time budget and plan activities.

☐ Family screen time goals set.
☐ Everyone picked a screen-free activity.

Reward:
✨ Pick a game or family activity for the evening!

Day 4: Screen-Free Evening Challenge

Enjoy a screen-free evening as a family!

☐ We spent the evening without screens.
☐ We had fun with our screen-free activity!

Reward:
✨ Family movie night or a favorite meal!

Day 5: Encouragement and Motivation

Share your progress and celebrate wins!

☐ Kids earned stickers for meeting their goals.
☐ Family SMART Talk: Everyone shared something they did well.

Reward:
✨ Pick a fun weekend activity (e.g., park, baking, or board games)!

Day 6: Advocate for Screen-Free Fun

Encourage friends to try screen-free fun!

☐ Kids invited friends to a screen-free activity.
☐ Kids wrote a letter or made a video about reducing screen time.

Reward:
✨ Special playdate or an outing!

Day 7: Reflect and Set Long-Term Goals

Celebrate your success and plan for the future!

☐ Family reflected on the week’s progress.
☐ We set long-term goals for screen time.

Reward:
✨ Family celebration! Pick a fun reward together (e.g., a favorite meal, outing, or game night)!

Weekly Achievement:

🎉 Congratulations! You completed the 7-day SMART Screen Time Challenge! 🎉

Total Stickers Earned: ____
Family Celebration: ____________________________________

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