Kinderberry Hill Invites Families to Join Them For “Screen Free Week” August 5-11, 2013

Kinderberry
Hill Child Development Centers announce their first-ever Screen-Free Week
August 5-11, 2013.  The public is invited
to join Kinderberry Hill families by picking up a Screen Free Week toolkit at
any Kinderberry Hill location, including 3950 70th Street W in Edina, July
30 to August 2.

During Screen Free Week, families will pledge to turn off entertainment
media and turn on life!   Families will spend seven days “unplugged” and
read, play, daydream, create, explore nature, and enjoy more time with family
and friends.

Although the American Academy
of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for children under 2, and less than 2
hours per day for older children, on average, preschool children spend a
staggering 32 hours a week with screen media.   Some of the distressing effects of these early
habits can include poor school performance, obesity, problems with socialization
and more.   Most importantly, excessive
screen time changes children’s fundamental connection to the world. 

“By limiting children’s screen time, he or she will have
more time for hands-on creative play,” said Kelli Metcalf, Kinderberry Hill
Operations Coordinator and Screen Free Week Planner.  “Play is essential.  It promotes intellectual growth, critical
thinking and problem solving.  Children
play to have fun, gain a sense of self and make meaning of their world.”  

Participating families will receive a tool kit that includes
fun ideas for screen-free week (such as make cookies and share them with a
neighbor, host an international dinner night and learn about a new culture, take
a nature hike, make your own play-dough and more) plus helpful tips and
resources.

What’s more, Kinderberry Hill has partnered with these local
companies, who are excited to offer exclusive discounts to participating
“Screen Free” families:  The Minnesota
Zoo, Creative Kidstuff, the Minnesota Historical Society, Walker Art Center,
The Minnesota Children’s Museum and Edinburgh Park in Edina.  Creative Kidstuff will also host a special
game night on August 7 at its Wayzata and Minneapolis locations. 

“Spending a week screen-free is incredibly fun, rewarding
and enriching,” said Metcalf.  “We know
the families who join will create special memories to last a lifetime.” 

For
more information on Kinderberry Hill’s Screen-Free Week, visit www.kinderberryhill.com or  www.commercialfreechildhood.org