When Loïc and I first began building this academy, we asked ourselves what kind of environment children really need in order to thrive. Not just as performers, but as humans. One of the clearest decisions we made was to keep our spaces screen-free. We’ve seen the benefits of screen-free time for children in real, practical ways: sharper focus, stronger creativity, better connections, and peer guidance and support!
Screens are everywhere in life. Children use them at school, at home, in the car, even when they’re meant to be resting. And like most parents and teachers, I rely on them too. They’re powerful tools when used with purpose whether it’s learning choreography from a video, exploring new music, or connecting with mentors. But what I’ve learned, both as a parent and an educator, is that when screens slip into every in-between moment, something gets lost.
What gets lost is processing of all that they’ve just experienced and learnt.
The Benefits of Screen-Free Time for Children: Psychology of Learning
Psychologists talk about “consolidation” … the way the brain strengthens new connections after a learning experience. It’s like the difference between planting a seed and letting it rest in the soil, versus digging it up every five minutes to check if it’s growing. When children step away from learning and immediately dive into a screen, their brains don’t get the stillness and quiet they need to wire those new synapses together.
I’ve seen this over and over in rehearsals and classes and workshops. When students put their devices away, something different happens. They talk to each other. They sing the song they’ve just learnt. They sit quietly and replay steps in their minds. They allow their brains to do the quiet work of remembering. And when they walk back into the studio, they’re sharper. More present, and ready to build on what they have just learned.
This is one of the most overlooked benefits of screen-free time for children: the chance for their brains to rest, reflect, and strengthen.
Screen-Free Time Builds Presence, Not Distraction
Loïc and I often talked about attention and how fragile it is … how screens, by design, fracture it and distract. If theatre requires anything, it’s presence. The ability to stay in a moment, to listen, to keep focus even when you’re nervous, tired, overwhelmed! These aren’t just performance skills; they’re life skills.
A child who can sit without distraction in the wings waiting for their cue, or remain on task during a long rehearsal, can later sit and stay grounded in the moment. A teenager who learns to pass the time by connecting with peers instead of scrolling develops empathy, resilience, and patience. That is the psychology of screen-free learning: children aren’t just keeping busy, they’re building resilience.
The Value of Screen-Free Time: Why We’re Not Anti-Screen
Of course, the irony is that we’re not “anti-screen.” Screens are part of my daily life as both a teacher and a parent, and they’re invaluable when used with purpose. Whether that’s planning lessons, playing music, or drawing on teaching resources. But I’ve also seen how quickly they can shift from being a tool to becoming a default distraction. I am known to provide my own children with a screen when I am rehearsing dozens of students in a theatre, or teaching a class and there’s no babysitter present.
But that’s why we set boundaries around them at the Academy. It’s not about banning technology; it’s about creating a space where students can focus, connect, and let their learning settle without interruption.
For families interested in how we approach other boundaries, you can read more about why we don’t do competitions and how we teach resilience. Together, these choices create a culture where children learn to thrive without comparison, without distraction, and with the courage to stay present.
Why This Matters
I think often about Loïc’s belief that the arts are about presence — about being fully in the room, with your body, your voice, and your community. That’s what I want our students to learn too. Not just how to sing a song or dance a routine, but how to be with one another, how to live without the crutch of distraction, and how to trust that their minds are capable of more than they realise when they’re given stillness and space.
That is why our no-screen policy matters. It’s not about the rule. It’s about the humans our children are becoming — and the lifelong benefits of screen-free time for children when they are given the chance to focus, reflect, and grow.
Lee Valmy
Founder & Director, Valmy Academy