The UCLA Family Commons

As a psychologist at The UCLA Family Commons, one of the greatest struggles that many parents ask for guidance with is how to determine the appropriate amount of “screen time” for their children. Today’s average child is watching several hours of television each day. The time that is accounted for in this research does not include the hours spent on the computer, playing video games and not to mention the explosion of the “app” world. With the summer months approaching, parents are increasingly concerned about how to manage their child’s screen time with the influx of free time.

While many people are concerned about what their children are being influenced by in their exposure to media, I am concerned with what children are missing out on. Growing up, my parents made the choice to limit the amount of television we watched and instead created an environment in which we kept our minds fresh and alive through play and social activities.
Research shows that throughout the summer months, children have a tendency to become rusty in their skills, academic and social. When school closes in June, the last thing any child, or parent for that matter, wants to think about is school and homework. However, every teacher encourages their students to continue to practice their reading, writing and arithmetic skills so they can back to school and feel competent instead of lost and behind. What most people forget is that practicing social skills over the summer is equally important for a smooth transition back to school in the fall.

One of the greatest activities my parents included in our summer life was camp. Whether this was a sleep away camp, day camp or even vacation bible school, we were given the opportunity to keep our social skills fresh and prepped so we could return to school feeling comfortable and less anxious than many of our peer counterparts.

As you plan your child’s summer activities this year, keep in mind the importance of social activities. At The UCLA Family Commons we offer a variety of summer camps for different ages that address the developmental needs of boys and girls as they navigate and transition from the early years into adolescence. In all of our activities, whether it’s through Martial Arts, imaginative play or arts and crafts, we consistently provide an avenue for children to obtain skills that are necessary for healthy development and a strong sense of social and emotional competence.

- By. Dr. Rebecca Eberlin
The UCLA Family Commons