Cala Luna logoCala Luna by Little Lynx Studios
← All 28 social stories

Social stories · Home and family · ages 5–9 · 2-minute read

Turning off screens: a social story

For children who find it hard when tablet or TV time ends. Knowing when it ends, and what comes next, makes it easier.

Read the story

By the Cala Luna team · Reviewed 24 October 2026 · The research behind it

The story

Read it aloud together, one card at a time. Point to the pictures and let your child read the last card.

  1. I like watching shows and playing games on a screen.

  2. Before I start, my grown-up tells me how long, or how many episodes.

  3. When time is nearly up, I get a warning. A timer can show me too.

  4. Stopping at the end of an episode or a level is easier.

  5. When time is up, I can press "off" myself and hand it to my grown-up.

  6. I might feel disappointed or cross. I can take a big breath.

  7. Then it is time for something else: a game, a book or playing outside.

  8. Usually I can have screen time again another time.

  9. I turned it off myself. Well done me!

My calm plan

Pick one or two before the day, and practise them at home.

  • ⏰ Listen for the warning
  • 🏁 Stop at the end
  • 👆 Press off myself
  • 🫁 Big breath

Free printable social story from calalunakids.com/social-stories/turning-off-screens/

Personalised social cartoon

Want this story with your child as the hero?

Cala Luna created personalised social cartoons: the social-story method, as a cartoon starring your child. Two minutes, their name, a hero who looks like them, and this exact moment, one small step at a time.

$12.99 · ready in 24 hours · checked by a person

Buy a cartoon
Mila, a young lynx in a red headband and striped T-shirt

How to use this story (for grown-ups)

  • Agree how long, or how many episodes, before the screen goes on. For younger children, "two episodes" is easier to understand than "twenty minutes". Turn off autoplay.
  • Give a warning that also says what comes next: "One more episode, then we'll build Lego."
  • Plan something pleasant straight after screens, not a chore or bath, and let your child press "off" themselves.
  • Stay steady when they protest. "Five more minutes" after a meltdown teaches that protesting works. Putting your own phone away helps too.

Why these steps: what 30 years of research says about social stories.

Words that help

  • Try saying: "One more episode, then it's Lego time."Instead of: "Turn it off NOW!"
  • Try saying: "You pressed off by yourself!"Instead of: "OK, five more minutes." (after a meltdown)

Questions parents ask

Is it OK to use screens as a reward?

Sometimes, but it can make screens feel extra precious and stopping even harder. A predictable routine usually works better than earning and losing screen time.

Do Cala Luna episodes help with stopping?

Each episode ends with a "word of the day", which makes a natural stopping point. Agree "one episode" before you press play, then switch off together at the word of the day.

More social stories

Home and family

Getting ready in the morning

Wake up, dress, breakfast, teeth, bag, shoes. The same steps every school day.

Read the story →
Home and family

Bedtime and my own bed

Bath, pyjamas, teeth, story, goodnight. Sleeping in my own cosy bed.

Read the story →
Home and family

A new baby in the family

Babies need lots of care. I am still loved just as much.

Read the story →

All 28 social stories

We read the best free examples and guidance we could find, then wrote a shorter, simpler version in our own words: Children and Screens: shifting off screens; Common Sense Media: stopping screen time without a meltdown. Not medical advice; if you are worried about your child, talk to their school or doctor.