Examining couple recreation & oxytocin via the creation of family experience framework

From healthy to thriving: Conceptualization of purposive resource management of intentional families

Creation of military family leisure experiences

Measurement of time involvement in family activities: Alternative scaling for the Family Leisure Activity Profile

Family activity model: Crossroads of activity environment and family interactions in family leisure

Baylor University, a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, provides a vibrant campus community for more than 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship.

Baylor University 

Karen Melton, Ph.D., serves as Assistant Professor of Child and Family Studies in Baylor University's Robbins College of Health and Human Services. Her research is focused on fostering positive family leisure experiences in order to enhance child development and family relations. The simple prevention of adverse experiences cannot itself foster normal child development nor family relationships. Thus, her research examines methods for promoting nurturing, supportive relationships through safe, stable environments. 

Dr. Melton serves as director of the H.O.P.E. Research Lab and the Baylor-Compassion Initiative.

Program Effectiveness

Intentional Family

Family Finances

Decison-making

Family Time

Oxytocin

Positive Youth Development

Adolescent Development

Family Relations

Family Activities—rituals, routines, recreation, and religion

Family Ecology

Family Identity

Resource Management

Family Life Education

Faculty Page

Google Scholar

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Family Quality Time During the Coronavirus Pandemic

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Karen Melton, Ph.D., child and family studies expert in Baylor’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences

how-to-find-quality-family-time-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic

Assistant Professor, Child and Family Studies

Planning schedules, screen time and social connectedness during the coronavirus crisis can parents and children reduce stress, be productive and create meaningful family moments  With many schools closed as a measure against the spread of coronavirus, and many parents working remotely, families can incorporate a variety of activities — including educational ones — to keep kids engaged and ready to continue learning when they return to school, say family experts at Baylor University.

 “Life will look a little different over the next few weeks” amid the social distancing recommend by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Karen K. Melton, Ph.D., assistant professor of child and family studies in Baylor’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences. “For the next few weeks, we are going to get to spend extra quality time with our loved ones at home, likely resulting in more laughs and tears.

“A sense of routine can help us stay calm and keep moving forward,” she said. “As we all lean into the changes that surround us, we offer three S’s for being intentional while kids are home: schedules, screen time and social connectedness.”

SCHEDULES Schedules can take time and effort to create, but once established, they will help reduce stress, Melton said. 

“You can create a full-day schedule or just a morning/afternoon schedule when you need to get other work done. By providing a family’s schedule, you will reduce boredom and anxiety while increasing a sense of belonging and competency. Some families may allow kids to watch TV in the morning and then work through their schedule. If they complete all their activities, then they can earn additional screen time in the late afternoon.”

Some schedule suggestions:

Art and/or music Outdoor play Free play Learning activities/educational worksheets Reading Chores Board games Screen time  SCREEN TIME “Your kids will likely have more screen time than usual,” Melton said. “For older children, limit screen time so that it does not replace physical activity, sleep or other healthy behaviors. Parents also may want to consider that all screen time is not equal, not only by the ways we interact — smartphones, tablets, computers, gaming devices and televisions — but by different categories for screen time use.” 

Among those:

Watching educational shows versus watching entertaining shows Playing educational games versus playing entertainment games Constructive social media versus destructive social media use  SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS Apps and other technology offer ways to stay connected with those outside the home. But each day of the week also provides opportunities for meaningful moments with family at home, said Nicole McAninch, Ph.D., clinical associate professor of child and family studies at Baylor, who co-directors the Intentional Family Project at Baylor. 

Some ideas:

Dust off the board games. Teach your kids a family recipe. Have a family dance party. Play a video game as a family. Have a family movie night.  “Life will be a little crazier than usual over the next few weeks,” Melton said. “Remember, we are all in this together. We will all need to sacrifice and be more flexible. If we spend a little time being intentional with schedules, screen time and social connections, then we can look back at this time, having created meaningful moments that help our family thrive.”

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.



How to Find Quality Family Time During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Learn about the Family & Consumer Sciences program from Dr. Karen Melton, Assistant Professor.

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Family &amp; Consumer Sciences with Dr. Melton | Baylor University Admissions

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