Computing
Screens Around Me
Screens around me
Phones, TVs and laptops, what they show us, watching with a grown-up, and being gentle with them.
Screens
A screen is a flat, shiny part that lights up.
It shows pictures. It shows words. It makes sounds.
Can you see a screen right now?
Ask: Point to a screen in our home.
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The phone
This is a phone. It is small. It fits in a hand.
Mama talks to Auntie on the phone.
"Hello, Auntie!"
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What a phone shows
A phone shows pictures of people we love.
It shows songs. It shows stories.
It rings when someone calls. Ring, ring!
Ask: Who do we call on the phone?
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The TV
This is a TV. It is big. It sits in the room.
It shows cartoons, football and the news.
We sit back and watch together.
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Watching together
Long ago, families sat together to watch TV.
We still do! Papa, Grandma, Kofi and me.
Watching together is the best way.
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The laptop
This is a laptop. It opens like a book.
It has a screen on top and keys below.
Papa does his work on it. Tap, tap, tap.
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The keys
The laptop has many keys. Each key has a letter.
A, B, C...
Press one key. A letter pops up on the screen!
Ask: Can you find the letter of your name?
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The tablet
A tablet is a big flat phone.
You touch the screen with your finger.
Abena draws a goat on the tablet. Swipe, swipe!
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Big and small
The phone is small. The TV is big.
The laptop is in the middle.
Ask: Which screen is the biggest in our home?
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On and off
Press the button. The screen goes on. Light!
Press again. The screen goes off. Dark.
Screens can rest. So can we.
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Ask first
Before I touch a screen, I ask.
"Mama, may I watch?"
Mama says yes, or Mama says not now. Both are fine.
Ask: Who do you ask before using the phone?
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Screen time song
A little screen time is fine. Too much is not.
Sing along and learn when to stop.
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With a grown-up
I watch with a grown-up.
We sit together. We talk about what we see.
"Look, a lizard!" "What colour is it?"
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A little, not a lot
One song. One story. Then stop.
Kofi watches one cartoon. Then he goes to play outside.
A little screen. A lot of play!
Ask: What will you do after one cartoon?
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Time to stop
"Time to stop," says Papa.
Kofi says, "Okay, Papa." He gives the phone back.
No crying. No fuss. Well done, Kofi!
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Turn off the TV
Turn off the TV. What shall we do?
Build a tower. Draw a picture. Pretend to be a goat!
Our heads are full of ideas.
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Be gentle
Screens can break.
No throwing. No dropping. No banging.
Hold it with two hands. Gently, gently.
Ask: Show me how to hold a phone gently.
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Clean hands
Sticky fingers make a sticky screen.
Wash your hands first.
No kenkey on the keys!
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No water
Water and screens do not mix.
Keep your cup away from the laptop.
Keep the phone out of the bath!
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Not too close
Sit back from the TV. Not too close.
Hold the phone away from your face.
Your eyes will say thank you.
Ask: Blink your eyes. How do they feel?
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Screens are not toys
A phone is for grown-ups to call and work.
A laptop is for Papa's work.
We use them carefully, with help.
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Learning on a screen
Screens can teach.
Counting songs. Letter sounds. Animal names.
Kwame learns the letter K on a tablet. K for Kwame!
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Computers at school
Bigger children use computers at school.
They sit in a row. They type and click.
One day you will too!
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Talk about it
What did you see on the screen?
A dog? A song? A story?
Tell a grown-up. Talking helps us remember.
Ask: What was the last thing you watched?
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Get up and move
After the screen, we move.
Walking, walking. Hop, hop, hop. Running, running!
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Play outside
The best games are not on a screen.
Ampe in the yard. Skipping rope. Chasing the hen!
Screens off. Sun on.
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No screens at bedtime
At night, screens go off.
Grandma tells a story instead.
Then we sleep. Sweet dreams!
Ask: What story shall we have tonight?
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Screens at the market
Screens are everywhere. The seller's phone. The TV in the shop.
We look. We do not touch.
Other people's screens are theirs.
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Screen rules
Ask first. Watch with a grown-up.
A little, not a lot. Be gentle. Clean hands.
Then stop and play!
Ask: Can you say one screen rule?
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I know my screens
Phone, TV, laptop, tablet.
I know what they show. I ask first. I am gentle.
And I know when to stop. Well done, me!
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Learn more
- Common Sense Media — what to watch, and screen-time advice for each age
- HealthyChildren.org: Media — paediatricians' guidance on screens for under-fives
- WHO: children need to sit less and play more — the one-hour-a-day guidance for ages two to four
- Khan Academy Kids — a free, ad-free learning app for small children
- PBS Parents — play ideas and screen tips for families
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Watch more
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Think about it
- Which screen is small enough to hold in one hand?
- Who do you ask before you use the phone?
- What do we do after one cartoon?
- How do we hold a phone?
- What can you play when the screen is off?
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