Screen-Free Child Development - A Family Adventure

My name is Dennis DeLaurier, and I am an 82-year-old grandfather blessed with three sons and four grandchildren. Over the years, I have watched the world change at a breathtaking pace. Some of those changes have been remarkable like medical advances, access to knowledge, and new opportunities for connection. But some changes have deeply concerned me, especially the role that screens now play in the daily lives of children. One particular moment stands out. I was in a store when I noticed a toddler sitting in a shopping cart, happily absorbed in a cell phone while their mother shopped. At first glance, it looked convenient and harmless. But it got me thinking: what happens when our children no longer look around, ask questions, or let their imagination run wild? What happens when a screen becomes their constant companion instead of the world around them? That moment sparked my journey of research and reflection, leading to this book. I believe that too many children today are losing the chance to practice original thought, creativity, and discovery**. And with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, the danger is even greater: we risk raising a generation more skilled at consuming content than creating it.**