Screen Time Research!

Did you know- It is recommended that children under the age of 2, should not be exposed to screen time?  

• For children aged 2 to 5 years, the Health Department recommends limiting screen time to 1 hour per day. 

• Ways screen time can negatively impact your child’s development

  • Taking time away from other healthy activities such as, active play, social interactions, using your imagination, and learning

  • Children can become addicted to electronic devices just like adults. Screen time can increase your child’s dopamine level in your brain, which will lead your child to want more screen time.

  • An abundance of screen time can cause obesity levels, speech delays, low achievement in schools and low attention levels. 

  •  Too much screen time can also result in a lack of full range eye movement

• Alternatives to screen time for children 2 and under

  • Tummy time, crawl, walk, explore environmental surroundings

  • Relaxing time with books and calming toys

  • Sensory bin- fill a plastic container with either sand, rice, beans, or water.  Put small toys in the bin so your child can find them

  • Take a walk- explore new textures while walking (grass, mud, sticks)

  • Go to the park

• Alternatives to screen time for children ages 2 and up

  • Read books

  • Play games, learn new sports

  • Participate in imaginative play

  • Ride a bike/scooter

  • Explore outside

  • Finger paint or playdough

  • Water play

  • Puzzles

  • Play dress up

• Ways to have positive, healthy screen time 

• Screen time should take place during the day and not right before bed, this can disrupt your child’s onset of sleep and result in a tired child.

• Video call family members, peers, and family friends

• Watch an age appropriate TV show or movie with your child.  Pause the show/movie and ask 

  • Where does this take place? Who is in the story? Why did they do that?  How do you think they feel?  What do you think will happen next?  Was that the right thing to do?

• Limit the screen time- set a timer for your child so they know how much time they have remaining.  Take away all devices before bed

• Use screen time as an award (i.e. after you clean your room, you can play your game for 20 minutes)

• Be a good example, follow similar limits with your screen time and have no screens allowed in certain rooms of your house

• Choose educational games and videos for your child to watch and play on the screen

• Delay giving your child their own device for as long as you can