Our Rewildhood Field Guide.

Ideally: 0 hours of screen time
Video calls with family and friends, and the occasional soothing story video for desperate moments.

From the Canadian Paediatric Society:
Screen time for children younger than 2 years is not recommended apart from video chatting with caring adults.

What kids should be doing:
Climbing soft surfaces, exploring their environment, playing with family, listening to voices, learning new words, being held and talked to.

Books:
Board books, touch-and-feel books, simple picture books
Sandra Boynton, Eric Carle, Indestructibles series

Why it matters:
They learn to focus on the physical world — and how to belong in it.

Screen range:
~1 hour total on weekdays
Up to 2 hours on weekends

Make screen time intentional. Calm, story-based, and slow.
Given the choice, kids usually prefer talking, playing, or being read to.

High-quality shows:
Bluey, Daniel Tiger, Sesame Street, Little Bear, Puffin Rock, Octonauts, Rupert

Intentional media:
Family movie afternoons
Watching together
Talking about characters and feelings

What kids should be doing:
Climbing and safe risk-taking, building without instructions, waiting their turn, helping with chores, getting muddy, learning emotions, navigating friendships.

Books:
Picture books, short chapter books
Elephant & Piggie
Frog and Toad
Pete the Cat
Bear Snores On
Robert Munsch

Why it matters:
They learn that frustration passes — and they can handle it.

Screen range:
1–2.5 hours/day

Still no phone.
Screens stay in shared spaces.

Good screen choices:
Wild Kratts
Magic School Bus
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Studio Ghibli films
Nature documentaries
Family movies

Intentional media:
Movie night
Watching together
Talking about bravery, fairness, and mistakes

What kids should be doing:
Walking ahead on the sidewalk, playing without adults running the game, learning to lose, joining clubs or teams, being bored without a device.

Books:
Magic Tree House
Nate the Great
The Boxcar Children
Junie B. Jones
Mercy Watson
Graphic novels like Narwhal & Jelly

Why it matters:
They learn confidence comes from trying, not watching.

❋ Tech Introductions ❋
Kids walk farther, bike more, and start going places without adults right beside them. Tracking devices with the ability to talk to your child gives you the peace of mind needed to feel comfortable with their newfound freedoms.

Recommended devices: Garmin Bounce Watch, TickTalk 4 Watch, Xplora Watch

What these do:
✔ GPS location
✔ calling approved contacts
✔ no web browser
✔ no social media

Another device worth considering is a land-line. Recommended Devices: The discarded land-line collecting dust in the basement or a Tin Can phone.

Screen range:
2–4 hours/day (school + social + entertainment)

Focus on:
Judgment
Time management
Self-control
Social awareness

Good screen choices:
Communication
Learning tools
Creative projects
Some entertainment

Intentional media:
Stories about peer pressure
Content about fairness and mistakes
Media literacy
Conversations about comparison

What kids should be doing:
Taking public transit, babysitting, helping younger kids, managing time, leading small tasks, sticking with things that feel hard.

Books:
The Hunger Games
The Giver
The Outsiders
Graphic novels like Nimona

Why it matters:
This is the emotional training ground before high school.

❋ Tech Introductions ❋
This is when phones often arrive — but social media doesn’t have to.

Recommended devices:
Flip phone
Tin Can Phone
Managed smartphone (optional)

What these do:
✔ calling and texting
✔ limited apps
✔ no open app store
✔ parental controls
✔ no social media

Helpful rules:

• Phones charge outside bedrooms

• No scrolling at meals

• No private app stores

• Regular check-ins about what they see

Another device worth considering is a landline.

By this stage, the doors are more open — and that’s the point. With years of real-world experience, media literacy, and gradual exposure behind them, teens are better equipped to be assertive, know who they are, and make thoughtful choices online. This is less about control and more about connection. Regular check-ins, honest conversations, and staying curious about what they’re seeing and feeling help ensure they’re not navigating the digital world alone. Independence grows best when it’s paired with support.