Balancing Screen Time for Preschoolers: How T is for Tot Can Help
In a world full of phones, tablets, computers, and television young children are inevitably around technology everywhere they go, whether it is at the store, school, or home. Screens are embedded into our society. What are the best strategies to navigate screen time with your preschooler? How much screen time is too much? What is the recommended amount of screen time for preschool-aged children? What can you do when your child is resistant to limiting screen time? What alternative activities can you do instead of screen time? How can T is for Tot help with balancing screen time? Let’s jump into this!
Negative Effects of Screen-time
What is screen time and why can it be problematic with young children? Screen time is the duration in which a person uses an electronic device. Is it healthy for children to have unlimited amounts of screen time? In an article by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), they list a few negative effects of screen time in young children when it is presented too much such as:
- Sleep issues
- Inadequate outdoor or physical activity
- Weight and mood problems
- Poor school performance
- Decrease interest in reading books
- Not enough time to figure out how to rest or do enjoyable activities
- Lower amount of time spent with friends and family
Also, an article by the American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that although there is no evidence of too much screen time affecting children's eyes; however they did reveal that there was a study conducted in Canada that concluded that “children with more than two hours of screen time per day were eight times more likely to develop ADHD than those with less screen time.”
- Screen-Time Recommendation for Preschoolers
- How much time should young children spend on the screens? What practical tips can you do daily? What are the AAP screen-time guidelines? The guidelines are as follows:
- Up to 18 months old, screen time should be limited to video chatting alongside an adult
- For children 18 months to 24 months, screen time should be limited to educational programs
- For children 3 to 6 years, screen time should be limited to 1 hour per day of high-quality educational programs
- For children 6 years old and up, it is advised to promote healthy habits that limit time on the screen
- Turn off all screen time 30-60 minutes before bedtime
- Screen time should not be used during family gatherings or outings
- Parents/Guardians should learn and use parental controls
Keep in mind that reducing the amount of screen time might be met with tears, tantrums, and anger, but as the parent, remember to stay consistent. Screen time like any activity doesn’t have to be removed completely from your home, but it should be carefully monitored and limited to ensure your child’s healthy development. Consider telling and showing your child how much screen time they will get each day or each week so they are aware of what to expect.
Screen-Free Activities
What other activities can preschoolers do instead of screen time that will be both educational and engaging? Here are five ideas that you can do instead of screen time:
1. Outside Animal Investigation Part 1 - Are they hibernating or not? Sleeping or Awake? - Take your child on a walk and discuss which animals might be hibernating, temporarily sleeping, or awake.
Animal Investigation Part 2 - After returning inside from being outside, as a family, act out the different animals that were discussed or seen and intentionally use words such as “hibernation”.
T is for Tot Connection: Explore the T is for Tot Hibernation and Exploration Kit before or after going outside.
2. Play Simon Says Part 1 - Play the classical game of Simon Says and encourage your child to point to their body parts.
Play Simon Says Part 2 - Play Simon Says again but this time allow your child to be “Simon” and encourage him or her to tell you which body parts to point to.
T is for Tot Connection: Take a closer look at the inside of the body by looking at the x-rays from the T is for Tot Human Body Kit.
Playdough Creation - Encourage young children to make something using playdough. It could be their name, shape, number, person, food, or anything.
3. T is for Tot Connection: Inspire your child with additional ideas of what they can make by showing them the human body organ image cards and how they can create the shapes of organs and place them on the human chart from the Human Body Kit.
4. Read Books Part 1 - Keep books accessible for your child to grab at any point of the day. Consider reading during or after snack time or before bedtime.
Read Books Part 2- Encourage children to create their own stories using paper and art supplies. They can choose to write stories based on things they love or about the monthly theme for the T is for Tot subscription box.
T is for Tot Connection: Introduce a new book every month to your child as they open their T is for Tot subscription box.
5. Community Helper Role-Play Part 1 - Read “Clothesline Clues to the Jobs People Do” by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook then ask your child, “What type of community helper would you like to pretend to be?” Once your child decides then act out the role of that community helper with your child.
Community Helper Role-Play Part 2 - Take a field trip to visit one of the community helpers from the book or one of the helpers your child acted out.
T is for Tot Connection: Add to the pretend play by using the props of a dentist, fireman, postman, etc. from the Community Helper Kit.
In conclusion, screen time itself is not awful for preschoolers but too much of it can be developmentally detrimental. Make family memories with your child by doing screen-free activities. T is for Tot is full of hands-on enriching activities for you and your child to enjoy together. Each box has a different theme and a handy activity book to guide you on how to do the activities in the box. What are the first one or two screen-free activity ideas you think you will try to do first?
References
Screen Time and Children (AAP)
Digital Devices and Your Eyes (AAO)
