Media Mindfulness
A Waldorf education seeks to share media mindfulness by illuminating how electronic media may negatively influence learning throughout the stages of childhood and human development.
At The Waldorf School of Garden City, Media Mindfulness begins at birth and endures through adulthood. Recent studies indicate a strong correlation between the use of smartphones and the mental health crises in our youth. In the same way we would not leave our children exposed to harsh conditions in the wilderness, we do not want to risk exposure to unfiltered and harmful content and algorithms that promote addiction. Our mission is to guide students to become free-thinking individuals, and to this end, following is our school policy on Media Mindfulness.
From Parent-Child through Grade One
Cellphones, smartwatches, and AirPods/headphones are not allowed at school at any time. Time at home spent on these devices, along with time on any screen device, runs counter to our educational philosophy and works against the aims of your child’s teacher.
From Grade Two through Grade Five
Cellphones, smartwatches, and AirPods/headphones are not allowed at school at any time. We strongly recommend that IF you allow the use of screen devices at home that you couple it with human engagement. For example, a monthly family movie night with engagement with one another as an integral part of the experience softens the introduction of screen devices in an age-appropriate manner. Isolated time on a screen device at this age is strongly discouraged. Use of a screen device without adult supervision is ill-advised. We strongly recommend that children of this age should not have access to video games during the school week and should never have unrestricted access to video games at any time, including online gaming sites or gaming platforms.
From Grade Six through Grade Nine
Cellphones and smartwatches are collected each morning and stored in a secure box or locker provided by the teacher. Use of these devices will not be allowed during the school day. If a student must use a phone, a school phone will be provided. It is strongly advised that screen time at home be limited, supervised, and age appropriate.
From Grade Ten through Grade Twelve
Cellphones and Smartwatches are collected each morning and stored in a secure box or locker provided by the teacher. Use of these devices will not be allowed during the school day. If a student must use a phone, a school phone will be provided. We advise screen time at home is monitored for appropriate use.