What is Mytimingcards?
< 0 >Sample card: 15 minutes
I received a set of “Mytimingcards” through the Autishop. A set of Mytimingcards consists of 24 time cards, 4 bonus cards, 1 explanation card, a timer, and the Mytimingcards contract. The set looks very attractive, and the concept appealed to me; I immediately felt like, “I want to try this with my kids!”
Lisette van der Kuij, the creator of this product, is a mother of three. She created the Mytimingcards because she wanted more clarity, balance, and less hassle. The Mytimingcards are cards and a timer that help children understand what’s expected of them, teach them to take responsibility for themselves, and interact with screens in a healthy way.
How exactly does it work on paper and in practice?
The Mytimingcards website and the first card in the game explain how to use the Mytimingcards. I’ll explain step by step how people reacted to this at home.
- Discuss together how much time your child should spend on screens each day.We have a very strict agreement at home for the children: they’re allowed 30 minutes on their iPad or Switch three times a day. They have to share one iPad and one Switch, so they also need to be considerate of each other. In practice, it’s often the case that they spend more time in front of a screen, or longer, so it was good to have a clear discussion about this. We made agreements about the iPad, Switch, and phone, since we, as parents, want to use the TV when it’s convenient for us, such as while cooking. The conversation went pretty smoothly, but my son quickly understood that these cards allowed for more than three screen times a day.
- Read and sign the contract in which you make agreements together.My son felt very special and serious when we signed a contract together, and that was a positive way to start! Signing the contract gave him a sense of importance and responsibility. He understood that we were making agreements together and that we both had responsibilities to ensure he had a good balance between screen time and other activities.
- Agree on when your child will receive the cards, every day or once a week on a fixed day.Since my oldest son was already well aware of the rules surrounding screen use, I thought it would be a good opportunity to give him a little more responsibility and give him the cards once a week. This way, he can learn to plan for himself and assess which choices are helpful.
- If your child uses a screen, the timer must be started and the corresponding cards handed in.We were already using a timer on the wall, so this wasn’t new to my son. He really enjoyed having his own timer that he can control himself. I do have to keep an eye on it, though, because it’s tempting to add a few minutes.
- Bonus cards can be given as a reward or incentive, and parents can decide for themselves how long they are valid.We haven’t used the bonus cards right away, but I plan to link them to doing household chores or game assignments in the future. It’s definitely an incentive for my son!
- Once the timer runs out, the screen should turn off.The moment the timer runs out and the screen has to turn off remains a challenging moment for him. It’s sometimes difficult to abruptly stop what he was doing. I also sometimes find it hard to stay consistent and enforce the rules. By remaining patient and adopting a positive approach, I find the transition goes a little more smoothly.
- Now it’s time to try out the playing tips!The play tips on the back are fun and original, but they do require some effort from you as a parent! My son just turned 7 and can’t do most of these tasks independently yet. Doing an activity together is certainly fun, but realistically, it’s not always feasible with two little ones at home.
Screen use in children with autism
In my practice, I hear many stories from parents who are concerned about their children with autism’s screen use. Why is it that children with autism sometimes seem to need extra screen time?
- De-stimulation: Screens can help you relax and unwind. Some children with autism find the world around them busy and overwhelming. Looking at or playing with a screen can help them calm down and relax.
- Being special in a game and feeling confident: Children with autism can become very good at certain games. They can spend a lot of time practicing and playing a game, which makes them feel confident and proud of their achievements.
- Making friends online: Screens can help kids connect with others, even if they can’t talk face-to-face. Through the Internet, they can make friends and communicate with them without having to worry about difficult social interactions.
- Predictability: Screens often have rules and patterns that children with autism like. They know what to expect and feel comfortable in this structured environment.
- Shutting out the outside world: Some children with autism find the world around them confusing or difficult to understand. Screens can help them shut out the outside world and focus on something they enjoy and understand.
It is therefore understandable that children with autism like to use screens and games. But as adults, we need to make sure they find a good balance between screen time and other enjoyable activities. It is important that they also play, learn and interact with others. It’s nice when they can do different things and gain new experiences. Sitting behind a screen for too long is not good for their body and executive functions. That’s why it’s good for adults to set rules so that children are encouraged to move, play and enjoy themselves in other ways. The Mytimingcards are a great tool for this!
Koekie’s opinion about the Mytimingcards
I am enthusiastic about the Mytimingcards and would definitely recommend them to other parents and professionals who work with children with autism. It is a valuable tool for making agreements about screen time and making children aware of how they spend their time. It helps create structure, reduce arguments and promote healthy screen use. You can use the cards in many different ways, and I’ve noticed with my son that, besides providing clarity, they also foster a greater sense of responsibility and control, reduce hassle during transitions, provide visual support, and strengthen his time management skills!
