💛 SELGrade 2Lesson 22
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Balance Screen Time and Rest

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What you will learn

  • 1Explain why a balanced daily schedule matters and sequence the parts of a healthy day in a sensible order
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Mini Lesson

Imagine eating only candy all day. It might feel great at first, but soon you would feel sick, tired, and unable to focus. Your time works the same way. A day full of only screen time is like a day of only candy. Your brain and body need balance.

What does a balanced day include?

  • Lessons and learning — focused work builds your brain.
  • Outdoor play and movement — your body needs to move and your eyes need a break from screens.
  • Screen time — okay in limited amounts; best enjoyed after other activities are done.
  • Rest and sleep — your brain stores what you learned and your body repairs itself during sleep.

Why is too much screen time a problem?

  • It can strain your eyes and cause headaches.
  • Screens before bed interfere with sleep — blue light tricks your brain into staying awake.
  • Too much sitting weakens muscles and reduces energy.
  • It can make it harder to pay attention during learning time.

Tips for healthy screen balance

  • Finish lessons and practice before screen time.
  • Set a timer — when it goes off, the screen goes off.
  • No screens for at least 30 minutes before bed.
  • Take a 5-minute movement break for every 30 minutes of screen time.

Words to know

Balance

Mixing different parts of a day so each gets time

e.g. A balanced day has lessons, play, and rest.

Screen time

Time spent looking at a screen

e.g. We limit screen time so my eyes can rest.

Rest

Quiet time so your body and mind can recover

e.g. Rest helps my brain remember what I learned.

Sleep

The deep rest your body needs every night

e.g. Good sleep makes me feel sharp.

Outdoor play

Active fun outside that moves your body

e.g. Outdoor play balances out screen time.

Balanced daily schedule diagramA circular chart showing four parts of a balanced day: lessons, outdoor play, screen time, and rest.A Balanced DaybalanceLessonsPlayScreensRestAll four parts matter every day.
A balanced day has four parts — Lessons, Play, Screens, Rest.
Four healthy screen time tipsFour tip cards for healthy screen balance.Screen Balance Tips1.Finish lessons before screen time.Learning first, screens as a reward.2.Set a timer — when it rings, screens off.A timer makes stopping easier.3.No screens 30 minutes before bed.Blue light keeps your brain awake.4.Move 5 min for every 30 min on screens.Short breaks refresh body and eyes.
Four screen balance tips — lessons first, use a timer, no screens before bed, movement breaks.
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Ask yourself: "Is my day balanced today? Did I move my body, learn something, and rest enough?"

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← Lesson 21: Respect Rules and RoutinesLesson 23: Make Healthy Daily Habits →