Building Healthy Screen Time Habits
by Allyssa VelDink
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends limiting the amount of time that preschoolers spend in front of a screen. Preschoolers ages 2-5 should have no more than 1 hour of screen time per day.
It’s important to note that not all screen time is created equal. For example, you and your child playing a game together on a tablet or video-chatting with a grandparent or friend are engaging and language-building activities.
Screen time can be used as a chance to interact with your child and teach them new lessons about the world around them.
Screen Time Tips
Set a good example with your own screen time in front of your child
Be with young kids during screen time and interact with them during the activity
Research games and apps before getting them for your child
Schedule plenty of non-screen time into your child’s day
Keep devices with screens out of your child’s bedroom after bedtime
Practical Ideas for Daily Implementation
Set a schedule for screen time. It may be beneficial to only allow screens after dinner time or for a short period of time in the afternoon after school.
Use a timer to help transition away from an activity using screen time. Give your child a five-minute warning before screen time is over.
Use screen time as an occasional reward. Use “first, then” language to provide screen time. For example, tell your child “first you clean up your room, then you may have five minutes of screen time”.
Attempt to make screen time interactive. Sit with your child when they are watching a show or playing a game. Ask your child questions and comment on the activity they are engaging in.
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