Ash Brandin on Screentime as a Positive Tool for Learning & Connection
TIMELINE & LINKS/RESOURCES
00:00 Welcome to Neuro Positive Podcast
01:41 Ash Brandon's Background and Journey
02:35 Gaming in Education
04:02 Parenting and Screen Time
05:30 Neutral Approach to Screens
12:56 Societal Gaps and Screen Usage
19:32 Neurodivergent Children and Screens
29:21 Final Thoughts and Tips for Parents
36:29 Conclusion and Future Work
In a world where screens are often demonized as the villains of childhood development, Ash Brandin, also known as the Gamer Educator, offers a refreshing perspective. Our conversation with Ash reveals the potential of screens as powerful tools for learning and development, particularly for neurodivergent children. Here are some insights from our engaging dialogue with Ash about how screens can be integrated into family life more positively and effectively.
A Different Approach to Screens
Ash Brandin, a seasoned middle school teacher with a diverse background in education, challenges the traditional narrative around screens. While common discourse tends to vilify screens, Ash encourages neutrality and experimentation. They argue that screens, much like the colors in an artist's palette, can be employed creatively to aid childhood development. With a deep understanding of their potential, Ash delves into how screens can be used as tools to facilitate connections, learning, and personal growth.
The Role of Screens in Neurodivergent Households
The benefits of screens for neurodivergent families are highlighted significantly in Ash's approach. They address a common misconception that screens cause neurodivergence, a notion that is both misleading and harmful. By flipping this narrative, Ash emphasizes recognizing and utilizing screens as supportive tools, particularly for neurodivergent children. For example, video games can offer highly accommodating environments that allow children to explore executive functioning skills in a comfortable setting.
Ash shares how, with the right perspective, screens can enhance the learning experience by mimicking structures that are typically beneficial to neurodivergent brains. They discuss how the structured environments of video games can provide templates for real-world adaptation, such as transforming in-game inventory systems into practical tools for tasks like packing a lunch.
Understanding Screens as Social Fillers
Ash enlightens us on the historical shift in childcare and community support, pointing out that screens often fill the void left by diminishing community infrastructures. In the past, extended families and communal support systems helped to share the caregiving load. Today, screens can provide that critical moment of respite for parents and caregivers, offering children safe and enriching activities while adults manage other responsibilities.
Aligning Parental Perception with Children’s Experiences
Ash strongly advocates for parents to engage with their children's screen-based activities by showing genuine curiosity and interest. This can involve something as simple as spending a few uninterrupted minutes watching or asking questions about the gameplay. By doing so, parents not only foster stronger connections with their children but also gain appreciation for the complex skills these activities can develop, such as problem-solving and strategic planning.
A Call to Action for a Neuropositive Future
Toward a brighter and more inclusive future, Ash envisions a world where the strengths of neurodivergent brains are explicitly recognized and celebrated. They hope for educational systems and families to lean into these differences, rather than shy away from them, and use them as assets within classroom and family settings. This vision includes dismantling stereotypes and acknowledging the diverse ways in which all brains can contribute positively to society.
Conclusion
Ash Brandin’s insights pave the way for a wider acceptance of screens in educational and familial settings, fundamentally shifting the conversation from one of fear and blame to one of empowerment and opportunity. Through understanding screens as multifaceted tools and resources, caregivers and educators can open new doors to development, inclusion, and connection, benefiting children of all neurodiversities.
Connect with Ash Brandin
For more wisdom from Ash, follow them on Instagram at @thegamereducator, where they share continuous updates, insights, and the forthcoming release of their book, "Power On: Managing Screen Time to Be Beneficial for the Whole Family," slated for back-to-school season in 2025.