Journey with a Screen-Free Childhood

Surrounded by a world where screens were the epitome of everyone’s lives, my childhood was an exception. I was raised screen-free without TV’s , video games, or the constant need to be entertained. Instead, we filled our days with creative activities like drawing and painting, reading classic stories, and exploring the world. Looking back now as a 19 year-old with my own jewellery business, a successful school life, and equipped with life skills, I can see how this has benefited me.

One of the most important ways that having a screen-free childhood helped me was by teaching me to engage with my surroundings, listen to people actively, and appreciate the smalll things in life. I wasn’t passively consuming content; I was actively engaging with it. Unlike many children today, who often struggle with short attention spans, limited vocabularies, and a constant desire for entertainment, I have been able to develop passions, value human connections, and find joy in hobbies.

Reading played a central role in my upbringing. With no TV or devices to distract me, books became my primary source of entertainment. Classic stories like The Secret Garden and Anne of Green Gables opened up new worlds for me, filled with complex characters, and meaningful life lessons. These stories shaped my thinking, helped me understand different perspectives, and built my vocabulary in ways that still serve me today. Reading also instilled in me a love for lifelong learning it’s a habit I still treasure and one I know has been integral in my personal and academic growth.

Books and stories, whether read or listened to, have been a constant source of growth and inspiration in my life, and I can’t imagine growing up without them.

Now, as a psychology student, I can see how this upbringing aligns with what research tells us about development. A screen-free childhood supports attention regulation, language development, and empathy which are key for cognitive and emotional growth. Stories help children understand emotions and human behaviour, which may explain why I feel so naturally drawn to studying psychology today.

“No story lives unless you are willing to listen.”

-Daughter of founder, 19 year old university student studying psychology