Turn off the computer
Turning off the screen breaks an absorbing activity, and the abrupt end often stirs resistance. A picture and a warning make the transition softer. See how the support works below.
♂Turn off the computer
A hand presses the power button on a computer with a monitor.
About this visual support
Screens are built to capture attention and hold it, and that is exactly why they are so hard to leave. When a child is playing or watching something they are often completely absorbed, and suddenly being asked to switch off can feel like being interrupted in the middle of something important. The abrupt end, without warning, is a common source of conflict.
Visual support makes the end predictable. When the child knows in advance that screen time ends at a certain time or after a certain episode, and can see it on a picture, turning it off becomes a planned part rather than a surprise. The picture of the next step also helps the brain redirect, so there is something to move on to.
A tip: give a warning a few minutes before, ideally tied to something clear like a timer, so the child has time to finish what they are doing. Being allowed to land softly reduces the resistance. In the Routined app you can add screen time with a clear end time and a picture of what comes after, so the transition away from the computer becomes calmer.
Use this image in a schedule
Build your own visual schedule with this image and download it as a print-ready PDF. Completely free.
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