The new trend
There’s a new trend among elementary school and middle school students. They are saying 6-7. It doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a response. It’s just a thing. What time is it? “6-7.” What’s the weather today? “6-7.” Hey, how was your day? “Six-SEEeee-ven.” For no reason. Just for fun. Accompanied by hand motions, too! Palms facing up, moving up and down like a balance.
The ban
Many teachers have been banning the students from saying 6-7. Some parents are probably rolling their eyes. Others probably are scratching their heads. Yes, it’s a bit irritating, hearing it in class, in the hallways, creeping into the social media timelines (especially if one doesn’t turn the mics off in the settings). Maybe even a bit disrespectful if a kids answers a teacher’s serious question with “6-7?” I understand the reasons to want it to go away asap.
The case for 6-7
However, as a parent and a pediatrician, 6-7 is a trend I want it to linger around for a while. In my POV, there are 3 benefits to kids and parents, and I’m a fan of anything that boosts kid and family mental health and emotional wellness. Sorry, teachers and confused parents. Hear me out. Here’s my case.
Mindfulness and grounding
Kids are scanning the environment for signs of six seven. They are playing I spy and strengthening their senses. They are practicing mindfulness and grounding themselves in the present moment. They are tapping into their curiosity and creativity. They are feeling safe. They are laughing about it. They are regulating their emotions. They are boosting their concentration skills. This activity sets off all the dopamine and serotonin signals without danger (probably) or the risk of addiction. Yes to kids boosting their neuronal connections!
Social connections
No one finds a 6-7 and keeps it to themselves. Every finder of 6-7 is bursting to tell someone. Seeking for 6-7 solves the problem of social isolation. Kids are connecting with each other over this. They might even be connecting to their teachers and to their elders (parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents) over this. Loneliness affects every age with surprisingly higher percentages of younger people feeling lonely, as high as 80% under 18yo. Until 6-7 came to save the day! People can bond over exchanging their 6-7 findings. No other common ground needed, except a shared sense of humor. Yes to kids boosting their social connections!
Screen free
I also thought about what the kids are NOT doing when they are playing the 6-7 game. They are NOT glued to their screen. Even if they are playing an intense video game, and a 6-7 came up on the screen (I’m imagining the score or background design or player jersey), the kid would have to pause the game and take a screen shot. They are NOT mindlessly scrolling on their phone. Even if they find a 6-7 in the midst of autoplaying videos, they would have to pause the video, and take a screen shot. And sometimes, they are NOT even touching their phone. They are looking at street signs on a walk and find 67 on a mailbox. They are playing a physical game that reaches the score of 6-7. They are reading a book and reach page 67. Yes to kids being DISconnected from digital devices!
Closing arguments for 6-7
As you can see, the 6-7 trend improves mental health, solves for loneliness, and keeps kids away from the screens. Win-win-win! Let’s not take it away, let’s let the kids continue to play!
Do you have a funny 6-7? Tag me (@betamomma) on your posts. I would love to see what you found!
Let’s connect
Hey, want more time in your day? After helping my own scattered brain and lots life coaching clients design a life they love, I’ve found a few common themes in helping people get more time back and made them into pdf guides. Let me know if you would like one of them!