Curious About Smartphone Free Time and Movement Outdoors

In this episode of the Curious About Nature podcast, host Rachel Mills and guest Gill Erskine, co-founder of Wild Strong, discuss the challenges of smartphone usage in families. They also share personal experiences of reducing screen time and its positive effects on their children's well-being. Gill recounts going smartphone-free during Christmas, and the benefits of outdoor activities and real-world interactions. Both express concerns over the impact of smartphones on children's mental health and social skills, and the pressures of parenting in a digital age. Gill shares her business - Wild Strong, which runs family movement clubs that focus on multigenerational movement and teaching physical literacy through outdoor play.

Gill Erskine:

Website: https://wildstrong.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearewildstrong

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildStrongCommunity

Curious About Nature is hosted by Buttercup Learning Founder, Rachel Mills.

Website: https://buttercuplearning.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buttercup_hello/

Email: info@buttercuplearning.com

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Curious About Nature is a nature show for families, home educators and teachers from the team behind Buttercup Learning and UK nature activity boxes that get digital kids outdoors.

There's a new episode every month where guests discuss nature and ways we can connect our families and communities to nature.

What we discussed in the episode

Smartphone Free Christmas (00:00:44)

Gill's decision to go smartphone-free over Christmas and her reasons for doing so.

Engaging Without Smartphones (00:02:30)

The challenges and benefits of navigating without GPS and engaging with people for directions.

Dependency on Smartphones (00:03:25)

The increasing reliance on smartphones and the impact on daily life.

Children and Smartphone Exposure (00:06:54)

Concerns about children's exposure to smartphones, including access to inappropriate content and the influence of peer pressure.

Reducing Smartphone Dependency (00:11:11)

Strategies to reduce dependency on smartphones, including leaving work phones in the office and minimising screen time in the evenings.

Delaying Children's Access to Social Media (00:12:12)

The desire to delay children's access to social media and concerns about the impact of gaming culture on young boys.

Protecting Childhood and Children (00:18:04)

The need for collective action to pressure tech companies and governments to protect childhood and children from the negative impacts of technology.

Positive Outcomes of Smartphone-Free Time (00:21:43)

Reflecting on positive experiences and learnings from the smartphone-free Christmas.

After School Clubs (00:21:50)

Discussion about managing work and after school care, exploring the idea of a nature-based after school club for children.

Outdoor Movement and Yoga (00:24:47)

Challenges of finding movement classes for parents and children, the benefits of outdoor activities and community bonding.

Risk and Children's Play (00:27:02)

The importance of allowing children to take risks and play freely in nature, and the impact of overprotectiveness on children's mental health.

Inclusive Fitness and Movement (00:28:28)

The concept of inclusive fitness and movement, the need for diverse options beyond traditional gyms and boot camps.

Family Movement Clubs (00:30:18)

The development of family movement clubs, the use of play and coaching to build movement skills and foster community bonding.

Future Plans for Wild Strong (00:34:09)

Plans for Wild Strong, collaboration with local authorities, and the development of movement programmes for schools.