How Going Device-Free Builds Real Resilience in Kids

When was the last time you looked around a room full of kids and saw every face lit—not by screens—but by conversation and curiosity? Across the country, more schools are going device-free, and something amazing is happening: kids are becoming more attentive, more engaged, and more confident.

In this episode of the Celebrate Kids Podcast, Dr. Kathy and Wayne Stender unpack what’s really going on when we unplug. Dr. Kathy explains that technology, while useful, can condition children to expect life to be easy—and when challenges come, they give up too soon. True resilience, she says, comes from facing real-life challenges, learning through struggle, and being guided by caring mentors and teachers.

Wayne and Dr. Kathy share stories of classrooms that have banned devices and rediscovered the joy of eye contact, laughter, and deep discussion. They also dive into how screens affect the brain, why “teachers teach—devices don’t,” and how parents can intentionally awaken their kids’ natural strengths—the 8 Great Smarts—by engaging them offline.

Together, they remind parents that resilience isn’t about perfection—it’s about being teachable, humble, and ready to grow. Through stories from Scripture (like Apollos in Acts 18) and insights from today’s classrooms, this episode will inspire you to see device-free living not as deprivation—but as an invitation to rediscover the fullness of life God designed for your family.