July 01, 2024
In today's digital age, screens are everywhere—from TVs and tablets to smartphones and computers. As parents, it can be challenging to balance the convenience of digital devices with the potential impact they may have on our youngest children.
It can be overwhelming to navigate this uncharted territory as we try to discern what is ok and balance the reality of our modern lives with the fear that we’re doing something wrong.
In this blog, we’ll provide some research backed details about screentime for kids and a no judgement look at some high-quality shows that you can choose for your kids the moment the screens come out.
Understanding Screen Time
Screen time refers to any time spent in front of a digital screen, including watching TV, playing with a tablet or smartphone, and using a computer. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children under 18 months should avoid screen time, except for video chatting. For children aged 2 to 5, screen time should be limited to one hour per day of high-quality programming.Research on Screen Time Effects
Cognitive Development: Numerous studies have shown that excessive screen time can negatively impact young children's brain development. It may lead to delays in language acquisition, attention issues, and poorer academic performance later in life. Interactive screen time, however, when used in moderation and with high-quality educational content, can offer some cognitive benefits. Social and Emotional Impact: Excessive screen time has been linked to reduced social skills and increased emotional problems in young children. Screen time can displace activities that are crucial for social development, such as face-to-face interactions and imaginative play. Physical Health: Prolonged screen time is associated with sleep disturbances, obesity, and sedentary behavior. Screens emit blue light, which can interfere with the production of the sleep hormone melatonin, leading to poor sleep quality.Common Concerns and Myths About Screentime
Myth Busting: The screentime debate can be very polarizing. People often take one side or another and many parents are filled with guilt over how much screentime their kids have. Many parents believe that all screen time is bad or that educational apps can replace traditional learning methods. The reality is more nuanced. While excessive and unregulated screen time can be harmful, limited and mindful use of high-quality, interactive content can complement traditional learning. Parental Anxiety About Screentime: It's normal for parents to worry about the impact of screen time on their children. The key is to stay informed and create a balanced approach that incorporates screen time as one of many activities in a child's day.Screentime Guidelines for Parents
Age-Appropriate Tips from the American Association of Pediatrics:
- Infants (0-1 year): The AAP recommends no screen time for infants, except for video chatting to stay connected with family members. - Toddlers (1-2 years): Limit screen time to high-quality content, and always co-view to help them understand what they are seeing. - Preschoolers (3-4 years): One hour per day of high-quality programming, with a focus on interactive and educational content. Creating a Screen Time Plan: Develop a family screen time plan that includes clear limits and alternative activities. Encourage other engaging activities such as reading, outdoor play, and creative games.Alternatives to Screen Time
There are so many reasons why a parent might want to use screentime. You might need a break. You might just need to shower. Maybe you work from home and have a meeting that can’t get interrupted. Whatever the reason might be, sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. However! If you’re looking for alternatives to switch it up every so often, here are a few: Engaging Activities: Provide a variety of screen-free activities that promote cognitive, physical, and social development. Examples include reading books, playing with blocks, and outdoor exploration. Sensory toys or projects (like oobleck or kinetic sand) are also a great way to keep kids engaged with something new if you need a minute to get something done. Incorporating Technology Wisely: Use technology to complement learning rather than replace it. Educational apps and videos can be beneficial when used in moderation and alongside other learning activities.Practical Tips for Managing Screen Time
Setting Boundaries: Establish and enforce clear screen time limits. Use timers and schedules to help children understand when screen time is allowed. Modeling Behavior: Set a good example by moderating your own screen use. Engage in screen-free activities with your children to encourage them to follow suit. Using Parental Controls: Utilize parental controls and monitoring apps to ensure your children access age-appropriate content and limit their screen time effectively. Balancing screen time for young children can be challenging, but with informed guidelines and proactive strategies, it is possible to create a healthy digital environment. Remember, you don't have to eliminate screen time entirely if you don‘t want to, but you can integrate it wisely into your child's routine.What shows are ok for my kids to watch?
In my own personal journey with screen time management for my kids, I stumbled upon Jerrica Sannes of Raising Wildflowers and while she takes a no screen time approach for her kids, she also helps parents (who are opting to still have screentime, but with intentional choices) choose higher quality shows. She explains that she looks for shows that are “slow-paced with natural color tones. They do not use unnatural visual effects such as dancing letters, swirling shapes, flashing colors, or high-contrast backgrounds to hold the child’s attention. They speak in normal voices and use rich vocabulary within character conversations. The high-quality storylines provide context for the vocabulary, and they are careful not to distract from character conversations with loud music and/or distracting sound effects. Most importantly, they model kindness, empathy, friendship, prosocial skills, and emotional intelligence.” This list is not definitive. These are not the only shows that are ok for your kid to watch and every family gets to make the decisions that are best for them! This is just meant to be a resource and guide as you select shows you’re comfortable with your kids watching!Netflix:
- Tumble Leaf
- Sarah & Duck
- Puffin Rock
- Trash Truck
- Nature Documentaries
Amazon:
- If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
- Guess How Much I Love You
- Little Bear
- The Gruffalo (and other short stories)
- Lily’s Driftwood Bay
- Bug Diaries
- Peep and the Big Wide World
- Zooboomafoo
- Stella & Sam
- Reading Rainbow
PBS:
- Elinor Wonders Why
- Mr. Roger's Neighborhood
- Molly of Denali
- Through the Woods