If your child's default is to reach for a screen as soon as they're home from school, you're certainly not alone.
It's completely normal - and while many parents want to reduce screen time - it can often feel like an uphill battle.
Research shows just how early this desire for a screen starts. One in five children aged three to four already have their own mobile phone. This rises to one in four by age eight, and to almost all children by age twelve.
At the same time, we know that screens are not going anywhere. They are part of everyday life and play an important role in education. That's why the goal is not to remove screens completely, but, as the UK government also encourages, to find a healthy balance.
One simple way to reduce the after-school scroll is to introduce structured after-school activities.
Even just one hour after school without screens, filled with face-to-face interaction, creativity and play, can make a real difference.
What can an after-school drama class offer my child?
An extracurricular drama class might not be top of mind for you if your child isn't naturally drawn to the performing arts.
But that's exactly what Perform is all about - we aren't a stage school, instead we use drama, dance and singing as a fun and creative way to help children build important life skills.
Drama creates a space where children can develop and practise skills such as public speaking, eye contact, positive body language, improvisation, articulation, memorisation, spatial awareness and so much more.
Just as importantly, it gets children moving their bodies. It's a different and fun way to exercise and it also provides a safe space for them to form new friendships outside of their usual school classroom.
Drama helps build confidence in everyday life - whether that's feeling comfortable speaking in front of a group, raising a hand in class, or talking to adults. These are all skills that simply can't be learned through a device.
If our drama, dance and singing classes sound like something you would like to try, we have hundreds of venues across London and the South and West of England. Find your nearest venue and book a free trial class to see if it's the right fit.
