Managing Screen Time for Preschoolers – The Right Balance

In today’s technologically informed society, smart devices have become part of daily life, even for toddlers. As parents/educators, one essential element in considering promoting healthy development in preschoolers involves evaluating the benefits and risks to screen time. Finding a balance in how preschoolers use screen time is not about eliminating all screen time, it is about using screens wisely, mindfully, and intentionally to grow digital literacy. In this guide, you will find evidence-based practices, advice, and structured routines to support parents and educators support healthy digital habits preschool, support preschool digital wellness, and develop a trustworthy preschool screen use guide for contemporary families. 

Why should we think about managing screen time?

Preschoolers are curious, excited and ready to absorb anything from the world, including what they see on a screen. However, too much exposure and/or content can have many potential negative outcomes:

• Social and language developmental delays

• Reduced attention span

• Sleep difficulties

• Increased risk of becoming overweight

• Social-emotional-behavioural issues

• Reduced amount of creative and physical play time iapindia+2

Screens—TV/Smart TV/tablets/smartphones/computers—are not “bad” things in and of themselves. However, when they are used without any boundaries, they can eat into the actual experiences that young children need the most: interacting directly with people; time for creative play; time outdoors; moving their bodies.

Guidance on the recommended screen time for preschoolers

What the experts say:

• Ages 2-5 years – A maximum of one hour of high-quality, educational screen time a day, and less is better. Children younger than 2 should avoid screen time except for video calls with family.

• As much emphasis is put on the quantity of screen time, pay attention to the quality—target interactive, slow-paced, age developmentally appropriate content.

• Parents/adults are always to co-view and co-participate with kids. No solo screen time for preschoolers.

Healthy Digital Habits for Preschool

• To foster healthy digital habits for preschool children, we must start when preschool children are preschool children, they may primarily have tablets, phones, and a few other devices to choose from.

• Always treat screens as special, and not at any time as something to use for entertainment or anything else we use to fill free times. 

• Set predictable routines: Say it is Saturday and children know that after lunch on the weekend they may have time to use screens as an everyday thing to do.

Put physical activity and hands-on play and conversation ahead of passive screen time.

Technology Use by Preschoolers: Choosing Wisely

There are many worthwhile technology and content choices that can have a positive impact on learning and development:

• Choose simple, ad-free, non-violent games and shows.

• Choose trusted, recommended educational apps and services that target specific preschool children.

• Steer clear of overly stimulating or hurried content that preschoolers might find confusing.

• Preview all games or videos and use Common Sense Media for ratings.

Developing a Useful Preschool Technology Use Plan

This section shares ideas on how parents and teachers can actively manage screen time when their preschool children are engaged with screens:

• Set strict time limits (i.e., timer on device, clock, etc.)

• Create tech-free zones: no screens at eating, sleeping, or when children are playing outdoors.

• Model the same behaviors: adults can follow the same rules (not rules, reinforce good healthy choices).

• Provide alternatives during screen times: books, puzzles, art supplies, and outdoor time.

• Overall, use consistency and good practices in developing a consistent sense of digital well-being for preschool aged children.

Things Parents Can do to Manage Kids Screen Time

Screen time helpful tips for parents:

• Always co-watch with children. Ask questions at different points, discuss what you see!

• Get kids to take active movement breaks often. Remind them to stretch, or dance, or jump around!

• Turn off screens a minimum of one hour before bedtime to protect sleep quality. c.p.s…

• Leverage screen time as a reward, not as an emotional support crutch or pacifier for tantrums.

• Be mindful of behaviour changes with your child. Any signs of irritability, withdrawal or sleep issues may warrant decreasing screen time.

Job of dealing with screen time challenges

Technology is everywhere so limiting screen time can be a daunting task, but here are some practical ways to alleviate the problem:

• Involve kids in the rules: create a “media agreement” at the family level. Use sticker charts celebrating tech-free days.

• Replace habitual screen time routines: (a music playlist in the car, or colour sheets while waiting).

• Inform caregivers and family with your rules to create consistent usage.

• Be firm but flexible. If some tech time is earned on a trip or special shared family movie night, use those, as extra time.

-Balancing screens and engaging with other activities will help kids not feel deprived of tech, but supported!

Encourage Kids with a Good Balance of Technology

A good balance with screen time means:

• Most waking hours are spent actively moving, playing, talking, or creating and less time in front of screens.

• That screen use is accompanied together, is short, and high quality.

• That kids are engaging in screen-free routines,  nature walks, crafts, building blocks, dramatic play, or reading books.

• Observe what it is that is being replaced from the quoted screen time and if family meals, outdoor play or sleep is suffer, change the balance.

Digital well-being within preschool is a role for the school to play

Preschools can help with screen time by:

• Making screen viewing in a group setting  limited to educational, interactive, or movement-based programming.

• Integrating digital and video activities into lessons (“draw your favourite animal from the nature video” or “create a character from your story”) and provide continuity to preschool engagement.

• Keeping classroom blocks, pretend play, conversations, and outdoor time the primary focus of most of their time.

• Promoting apps, digital tools and information about other digital content for families to extend the learning at home.

• Having open communication with families between school and home will help to support the screen time preschoolers need.

Preschoolers’ Use of Digital Technology – Do’s and Don’ts

Do:

• Encourage children to be active with technology – music, drawing, simple puzzles.

• Encourage hands-on experiences with books, nature, and people.

• Ask children to share and reflect on what they watched or what they are playing

Don’t:

• Use screens as babysitters when you leave the room. 

• Allow children access to unrestricted content that has not been vetted or filtered.

• Use screens as a way to quiet/smooth out all tantrums, teach children to regulate emotions too if you can.

Conclusion

Managing screen time in preschoolers is not about fear, or restriction, it is about providing digital experiences an appropriate place in healthy, happy childhood. In following this practical preschool digital well-being guide to screen use and focusing on healthy digital habits preschool then a healthy balance can be achieved that supports children’s development. Through thinking about routines, appropriate content and supporting family engagement and participation, digital well-being preschool comes naturally – and helps children learn how to rely on their skills in their everyday lives, both online and offline.

Read Also : Pros and Cons of Personalized Learning in Early Education

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