Kenan Kajan, Zalik, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Five Days without Screens
Author: Kenan Kajan
My close friend and I found ourselves seated in a pleasant park on a delightful day in May. We shared a mutual concern about the excessive screen time our elementary school-aged children were engulfed in. Reflecting on our own childhoods, where the street served as a vibrant playground for joyful games with neighbourhood kids, using the road as a makeshift football field and a simple stone as the goalpost, we couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast with our children’s immersion in digital devices, disconnected from the real world and lacking meaningful interactions.
The realization that our children were missing out on precious moments of their childhood weighed heavily on our hearts, compelling us to take action and instigate change. Driven by the intention to offer them a different experience, we approached a familiar staff member at the city library, sharing our concept of organizing a special event to captivate children’s attention and inspire them to reduce their reliance on mobile phones. With unwavering enthusiasm, we arranged a meeting with the library director, who wholeheartedly embraced our proposal for an event named “Five Days without Screens.” Recognizing the value of this initiative, the city library extended their steadfast support, fuelling our determination to make a positive impact.
The event kicked off with great enthusiasm as we opened a captivating children’s book exhibition and hosted engaging workshops on the first day. These workshops provided children with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of storytelling, unleash their creativity through various artistic activities, and embark on exciting reading adventures. The library buzzed with the joyful sounds of laughter, the spark of curiosity, and the vibrant energy emanating from the children.
As the event unfolded, we continued to organize a diverse array of social activities in the park over the subsequent days. Sports games, delightful picnics, and group excursions into nature were among the highlights. The children wholeheartedly embraced these new experiences, forging deep bonds with their peers along the way. With mobile phones left behind, a palpable sense of freedom filled the air, and the sheer joy of outdoor play was rediscovered once more.
The visit to the open park undoubtedly stood out as one of the most captivating experiences for the children during the event. The park boasted a wide range of sports facilities and provided the perfect opportunity for the children to encounter the diverse and thriving animal world within our region. The children were enthralled by these encounters, their eyes opened to the marvels of nature, and a newfound appreciation for the world blossomed within them.
During their time in the park, the children had the chance to observe the animals, feed some of them, and learn about the importance of nature conservation. These experiences offered them a fresh perspective, inspiring a deeper connection with nature and fostering an understanding of how they, as living beings, are an integral part of it.
The “Five Days without Screens” initiative concluded with a special ceremony of gratitude. The children brimmed with joy and pride as everyone gathered in the nearby square. The director of the city library delivered an inspiring speech, emphasizing the significance of quality time spent socializing and nurturing creativity. Each child was then presented with a special commendation and recognition for their enthusiastic participation.
We observed a remarkable transformation in the children as they consciously reduced their reliance on phones and dedicated more time to physical activities and social interactions. This shift brought forth a blossoming of their creativity and fostered a sense of mutual support and friendship that grew stronger with each passing day. The positive changes also extended to the families, as parents became more actively involved in activities with their children, spending quality time together and engaging in discussions about their shared interests and emotions. Families once again became the focal point of shared experiences, replacing the isolating grip of electronic devices.
As the children’s curiosity awakened, they eagerly delved into the events and games from our own childhoods, incorporating them into their interactions with their peers. Virtual cake-baking apps gave way to the joy of making mud cakes, and dressing up virtual dolls was replaced by the satisfaction of sewing clothes for their Barbie and baby dolls. The sound of a ball hitting the street became a familiar refrain once again. Immersed in the sheer delight of play, the children would forget about hunger and lose all sense of time. The hours spent in play flew by, and screens and their illusory allure were all but forgotten.
Inspired by this profoundly positive experience, our earnest desire is to establish a club dedicated to organizing similar events in the future. Perhaps most importantly, the children took the initiative to invite and involve other children in their independent projects and newly invented games. In doing so, they forged enduring connections and enriched their daily lives with shared adventures. These are the memories and stories that they will carry with them and pass on to future generations, serving as a testament to the power of human connection, imaginative play, and the enduring value of time spent away from screens.