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Technology time is a big issue in our house. My kids finish school early in the afternoon. They want to spend the rest of the day in front of a screen, but I am just not OK with that. Not at all. I am trying out a new system this week called Tech Time Tokens to try and remedy the issues we have been having. Let me tell you a little about it.
I have tried a lot of different methods to try and monitor their technology use. It is hard for me to always have to be on top of them and keeping track of their time in front of screens. I feel like 30 minutes is a reasonable amount of time in an afternoon for them to use technology for entertainment purposes. I am hoping these Tech Time Tokens will solve ALL of the problems! 😉
I am going to give my kids 10 tokens per week. I give them a few extras because on Saturday, I let them watch a little extra TV. They can use their tokens once chores and school work are finished to watch TV, play on the iPad or the computer. Each token is worth 30 minutes of technology time. My kids have timers to keep track of how long they are playing or watching. They have to turn in their tech time tokens once their time is used.
If the kids choose NOT to use their tokens, I will give them 50 cents to turn it in to me. This might motivate them to not watch TV from time to time if they are in need of extra funds. Also, if they are dying to earn extra tech time, I will allow them to earn an extra token with an hour of reading.
I created a set of printable Tech Time Tokens to use in ur home and to share with all of you. There are 5 different colors: Red, Orange, Green, Blue and Purple. We are going to laminate them to make them durable. I am giving each of my kids a different color to use o I know who has used theirs and who has not. We will have 2 jars- a used and an un-sed jar of tokens. The kids will move them from one jar to the other when they use them.
Download a Copy of Tech Time Tokens!
If you are interested in downloading this, it is a free download!
I also have an updated version in my shop that includes 10 and 15 minute tokens as well.
Add the UPDATED ones to your cart here.
$4.50Add to cart
Deborah from Mommy Crusader says
This is a great system. I love how you emphasize personal responsiblity and time management with these tokens. Such a great way to moderate screen time intake. Thank you very much.
Amanda - Raising da Vinci says
I love the idea of rewarding them for not using them. It teaches them to save and to have self control to get something they want. I might even up $.50 to $1 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Christina @There's Just One Mommy says
Such a great way to monitor screen time without having to always remember which kid did what. And I love the idea of paying them for unused tokens — great incentive to have less screen time!
Erica says
Yes!
Thanks very much!!
Grace says
These are AWESOME! And just what my family is needing!
I was wondering if there was a way to make one page with 5, 10, 15, 20 & 25 min intervals. I want to align it with brushing teeth and bath time for my three year old! Those would not be worth 30 min! Also- my daughter has vision issues and can’t have more than 30 min of screen time without a break so I’d love to break it up!
Or is it in your store?
I love your ideas!
Karyn Tripp says
I will definitely see what I can do! 🙂 It might be a few days though!
Grace says
Thanks again! The system is working out great!