When We Unplug, Kids Reconnect: Building Real Resilience in a Digital Age
“Teachers teach; books do not. Teachers teach, and devices do not.”
When Dr. Kathy said those words on the Celebrate Kids Podcast, I couldn’t help but pause. It’s a bold statement in a world where technology often feels like the solution to everything, from faster reading apps to “smart” classrooms. But maybe the real “smart” begins when we put the screens away and look up.
Across the country, schools are starting to unplug, literally. Classrooms once filled with glowing screens are now filled with conversations and laughter. One can almost hear the hum of curiosity starting up again. Teachers are noticing students making eye contact. “The lack of devices in the room,” Dr. Kathy shared, “has given back the freedom to our teachers to plan lessons, to teach, to make eye contact, to develop healthy discussions.”
And the early results? They’re stunning. Students are growing in confidence, engagement, and, perhaps most importantly, resilience.
What Happens When Life Gets Too Easy
“Resiliency,” Dr. Kathy explained, “is readily recovering from difficulties.” It’s what helps kids handle disappointment, overcome fear, or face failure without giving up.
Technology, for all its gifts, can quietly rob children of these vital experiences. “It has made everything seem so easy,” Dr. Kathy said. “Children are being raised by technology, not just with it.”
Think about it: one tap, and you have the answer. One click, and the problem disappears. That’s efficient, but it’s also deceptive. It trains young minds to believe that life should work that way, too. When they face real challenges, a tough class, a conflict with a friend, a job interview that doesn’t go well, they’re unprepared to persist.
Why Unplugging Builds Connection
Beyond resilience, unplugging gives us something else we desperately need: relationship.
Research shows we learn better without tech distractions. “In schools where phones are now banned,” Dr. Kathy noted, “relationships are growing. Children have their eyes up. They’re meeting friends. They’re discovering that they’re not alone.”
Without screens, students are rediscovering eye contact and conversation. They’re learning empathy, the core of what Dr. Kathy calls People Smart. And that kind of learning can’t be downloaded.
“People Smart,” Dr. Kathy said, “is reading body language and responding appropriately. It’s how we know when to talk, when to listen, and how to relate.” Those who develop this strength early grow into adults who collaborate, lead, and love well. They’re the ones who build strong marriages, teams, and communities.
When we let our kids’ eyes drop to a screen instead of lifting toward a person, we delay one of the most important kinds of intelligence there is.
A Biblical Picture of Teachability
As we closed, we focued on a passage from Acts 18 about Apollos, a man who was eloquent and wise, but incomplete in his understanding of the gospel. When Priscilla and Aquila pulled him aside to teach him more accurately, Apollos didn’t resist; he received.
That’s resilience too; humility, teachability, and the willingness to grow. “True confidence,” Wayne reflected, “is not projecting strength, but receiving guidance.”
If we want to raise resilient kids, we must help them understand that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a demonstration of wisdom. And that kind of wisdom grows best in real conversations, not notifications.
How to Awaken the 8 Great Smarts as You Unplug
Dr. Kathy reminds us that every child is born with the capacity for all eight smarts. “The earlier each is awakened, the greater the likelihood it will be a strength for a lifetime.” Here’s how you can encourage each smart as you create more device-free time at home:
Word Smart: Invite your child to tell stories aloud instead of typing them. Read together and ask, “What do you think happens next?”
Logic Smart: Cook together and let them figure out measurements. Solve puzzles, riddles, or board games that require strategy.
Picture Smart: Encourage sketching, building with blocks, or designing posters about something they love.
Music Smart: Turn off background noise and sing, hum, or make rhythms together. Talk about how different music makes them feel.
Body Smart: Go for a walk, play catch, or bake something new. Use their energy to learn through movement.
Nature Smart: Get outside and name what you see. Watch the sky, the bugs, or the changing leaves. Wonder together.
People Smart: Practice reading emotions. Ask, “What do you think your friend felt when that happened?”
Self Smart: Give quiet time for journaling or prayer. Ask questions like, “What did you learn about yourself today?”
When we unplug our homes and classrooms, we’re not taking something away; we’re giving something back: attention, patience, curiosity, and connection.
As Dr. Kathy said, “Teachers teach, books do not. Teachers teach, and devices do not.”
And maybe that’s true for parents too. When we lift our eyes from the screens, we just might see the brilliant, resilient, and wonderfully made child who’s been waiting for us to look up all along.