Tackling Toddler’s Screen Time

from Rockland Parent April 2020

Many parents are concerned with how much time their older kids are spending with screens, but what are the recommendations for young children?

By Misha Valencia

Most parents have put on a video or a show to distract their toddler while they washed dishes, made a phone call, or took a break. Even before we constantly talked about tablets and cellphones, parents used the TV to entertain children when they needed to get something done. While screen time is a concern for children of all ages, the toddler and preschool years are a crucial time for developing language and social skills—and excessive screen time can impact children’s development in these areas. So, how much screen time is too much for toddlers? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children ages 2-5 have no more than 1 hour of educational screen time daily. For toddlers ages 18-24 months, the AAP recommends limited use, with adult supervision, and children younger than 18 months are recommended to have no screen time (except video chatting).

Striking a Balance Young children with greater screen time exposure have decreased expressive language and language processing speed, according to study published in JAMA Pediatrics in November 2019. Plus, a January 2020 study published in The Lancet noted that 3 (or more) hours of daily screen time can decrease young children’s physical activity level and the quality of their sleep. Nicole Beurkens, Ph.D., a child psychologist and author of Life Will Get Better: Simple Solutions for Parents of Children with Attention, Anxiety, Mood and Behavior Challenges through interactions with people, and screens decrease this faceto-face time. But this doesn’t mean that all screen time is harmful. “Striking a balance is important,” Dr. Beurkens says. “Most caregivers have situations where they may need to use a device at times, but if this has become the norm and every time they try to go somewhere the children are upset or complaining unless they have a device, it can be a red flag that [the kids] are not able to occupy themselves in other ways.” Emily Skeen, a pediatric nurse in NYC, adds that it’s important to monitor the accumulation of screen time throughout the day. “A few minutes here and there while children are stuck sitting in a waiting room or doing errands with their caregiver is probably fine, but if they’re using devices intermittently throughout the day and then coming home and using it for another hour or two, the time can really add up.”

Life Will Get Mood and Behavior Challenges, also points out that toddlers learn through interactions with people, and screens decrease this faceto-face time. But this doesn’t mean that all screen time is harmful. “Striking a balance is important,” Dr. Beurkens says. “Most caregivers have situations where they may need to use a device at times, but if this has become the norm and every time they try to go somewhere the children are upset or complaining unless they have a device, it can be a red fl ag that [the kids] are not able to occupy themselves in other ways.” Emily Skeen, a pediatric nurse in NYC, adds that it’s important to monitor the accumulation of screen time throughout the day. “A few minutes here and there while children are stuck sitting in a waiting room or doing errands with their caregiver is probably fi ne, but if they’re using devices intermittently throughout the day and then coming home and using it for another hour or two, the time can really add up.”

Reducing Screen Time It may be nearly impossible in our device-fi lled digital world to completely shield toddlers from electronics, but families can take steps to reduce usage, encourage other activities, and safeguard children from any potential damaging effects of excessive screen time. It’s important to start an age-appropriate dialogue with young children about screen time. Telling (and showing) them that devices are something that we don’t play with all the time helps them begin to understand what the expectations around screens are. Give them a tangible example—such as cookies and ice cream are a fun treat, but we don’t eat them for snack every day—and explain that screen time is also something done in moderation. Set specifi c times for the whole family (children and caregivers) when screens are not used in the home, such as during meals and the evening routine, Dr. Beurkens recommends. And to avoid temptation during device-free time, keep devices in a separate location where kids can’t access them, and be careful not to leave devices in children’s bedrooms overnight. Another helpful tip is using visual aids. Create a chart outlining different activities your children can do that don’t involve screens (coloring, painting, playing with toys, etc.), and include when and where devices can and can’t be used. Because toddlers learn quickly how to navigate different programs, it’s important to pay attention to not just how long a child is on a device, but how they use the device. The AAP recommends parents install parental controls and participate in screen time with their toddlers to help them understand and process what they are seeing.

Misha Valencia is a journalist whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Marie Claire, Huff Post and Healthline.

Con nect with us

facebook.com/nymetroparents

@nymetroparents

@NYMetroParents

• Warm Water, Indoor Facility perfect for swim lessons • Swim lessons for Ages 4 and up (Small Groups) • Monthly Stroke Development Program (age 5 - 8 and 9 - 13) • Special Offer - Pre-Summer League Program • Locations in Palisade & W. Nyack, NY & Hillsdale, NJ