All Posts

Catonsville Unplugged proudly supports the work of Distraction-Free Schools Maryland , a grassroots effort advocating for phone-free, bell-to-bell schools  across the state. Their work reflects a growing evidence base showing that removing personal phones from the school day improves learning, safety, equity, and school climate. Learn more and take action here: https://www.distractionfreeschools.com/maryland-action Phones in School Undermine Learning and Social Development Th

Another thing that parents can do to help reduce their children's pull toward screens, is develop their own technology hygiene. Technology has become a constant presence in our lives, but when it interrupts family time, it creates a problem known as technoference . Research shows that even the presence of a cell phone in a room can weaken the connection and trust between parents and children. This post explores how parents can change their own technology habits to benefit the

Kids need  connection. They need to be able to talk with their friends, call a parent when they need help, coordinate play, and feel part of their community. Staying connected is essential for their social and emotional development. The challenge isn’t whether  kids should communicate — it’s how  to give them healthy, age-appropriate ways to do it without handing them a smartphone . Below are tools many Catonsville families are choosing: landlines , Tin Can phones , and non-i

Kids grow stronger, more confident, and more capable when they’re given chances to do things on their own. Independence isn’t one big leap — it’s built gradually, through everyday responsibilities and unstructured time with other children. One of the most effective ways to nurture this is through multi-age playgroups  and age-appropriate independence tasks , both of which give kids the practice they need to develop problem-solving skills, resilience, and social confidence. Be