Screen Time Maths
Maths hiding in screen time: reward charts
Count repeated practice sessions or chores.
Quick answer
Maths is all around us – even in screen time! When you use a reward chart on a device or paper, you're counting, adding, and tracking progress using maths skills.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to use a reward chart to track your screen time or chores using counting, addition, and simple patterns. Success signs:- You can count how many times you've done a task
- You can add up your points or stars
- You can see a pattern in your chart
- You can explain how your chart helps you stay on track
Why this matters
Reward charts help you learn important maths skills while staying motivated. When you track your screen time or chores, you're using maths to make decisions, plan your day, and see how you're doing. Whether you're using a paper chart or a digital app, you're building skills that help you in school and in life.How it works
A reward chart is a simple way to track what you do. You can use it for screen time, chores, reading, or anything you want to do more of. Here’s how it works:- Choose a task – What do you want to track? For example, reading for 15 minutes, doing chores, or limiting screen time.
- Decide how many times you want to do it – For example, 3 times a day, 5 times a week, or 10 times a month.
- Mark your progress – Every time you do the task, you add a star, sticker, or checkmark to your chart.
- Add it up – At the end of the day, week, or month, count how many times you did it.
- See your pattern – Do you notice how many times you did it? Is it going up? Are you getting closer to your goal?
Examples you can see
Let’s imagine you’re making a screen time reward chart for your week. Example 1: Daily Screen Time You want to play for 1 hour a day. You use a chart with 7 days (Monday to Sunday). Each day you play, you add a star.| Day | Stars |
|---|---|
| Monday | ★ |
| Tuesday | ★ |
| Wednesday | ★ |
| Thursday | ★ |
| Friday | ★ |
| Saturday | ★ |
| Sunday | ★ |
| Day | Chores Done |
|---|---|
| Monday | 3 |
| Tuesday | 3 |
| Wednesday | 3 |
| Thursday | 3 |
| Friday | 3 |
Try it as a mini adventure
Adventure: The Screen Time Explorer You are a Screen Time Explorer on a mission to keep track of your screen time and chores. Every day, you collect stars for completing tasks. Here’s your adventure: 1st time: You play for 1 hour. You get 1 star. 2nd time: You play for 1 hour. You get 1 more star. 3rd time: You play for 1 hour. You get 1 more star. 4th time: You play for 1 hour. You get 1 more star. 5th time: You play for 1 hour. You get 1 more star. 6th time: You play for 1 hour. You get 1 more star. 7th time: You play for 1 hour. You get 1 more star. You’ve collected 7 stars! That’s 7 times you played. Now, you want to track chores. You do 2 chores each day for 4 days. 8th time: You do 2 chores. You get 2 stars. 9th time: You do 2 chores. You get 2 more stars. 10th time: You do 2 chores. You get 2 more stars. 11th time: You do 2 chores. You get 2 more stars. You did 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8 chores in total. Your chart is getting full! You’ve learned how to count and add.Common mistakes
- Mistake: Forgetting to add up the stars or points. Why it happens: You’re excited about collecting stars and forget to count them. Fix: After each day, take a moment to count your stars and write the total.
- Mistake: Not keeping track of how many times you did something. Why it happens: You do the task but don’t mark it. Fix: Always mark your chart after completing a task.
- Mistake: Thinking you’ve done something more than you did. Why it happens: You’re trying to remember and guess instead of counting. Fix: Count each time you do it and check your chart.
Parent and carer guide
Parents and carers can help by:- Starting simple: Use a paper chart with stickers or stars for younger children.
- Tracking together: Sit with your child and count the stars or marks as they complete tasks.
- Using real-life examples: Talk about how many times they’ve read, played, or cleaned up.
- Encouraging planning: Ask questions like, "How many times do you think you’ll read this week?"
- Checking progress: At the end of the week, count the stars together and celebrate the effort.
Practice questions
- How many times did you read if you read for 15 minutes each day for 5 days?
- You played for 30 minutes each day for 6 days. How many times did you play?
- You did 4 chores each day for 3 days. How many chores did you do?
- You watched a show for 20 minutes each day for 7 days. How many times did you watch?
- You did 5 tasks each day for 4 days. How many tasks did you do?
- 5 times
- 6 times
- 12 chores
- 7 times
- 20 tasks
FAQ
How can I make a reward chart for screen time?
You can use a piece of paper, a whiteboard, or a digital app. Draw or write days of the week and mark each day when you do something like play for 1 hour.
Can I use a reward chart for chores?
Yes! You can make a chart to track how many chores you do each day or week. It helps you see how much you’ve done and stay motivated.
What if I forget to mark my chart?
That’s okay! Just remember to mark it when you remember. You can also ask a parent or friend to help you track it.
How can I make my reward chart more fun?
You can use stickers, drawings, or even digital apps. You can also give yourself a small reward when you finish a week of your chart.
Why is it good to use a reward chart?
It helps you see your progress, stay on track, and feel proud of what you’ve done. It also teaches you counting, addition, and patterns – all important maths skills!