Digital Unplugging

Managing Screen Time in Preschoolers – How much is too much for a child of this age group?

In this digital world, gadgets are an essential part of our daily lives, making them an important part of our children’s lives.

Digital exposure is everywhere because we are in this era of smart gadgets. We cannot evade the influence of it.

It is of utmost importance for us as parents and caregivers to limit the use of these gadgets.

We need to find a way to strike a balance between the benefits and drawbacks of screen time, as well as the potential risks arising from screen time. But, for some parents, the current issue is the overuse of screen time. For them, decreasing the screen time is their current challenge.

In this blog, we will discuss some valuable guidelines and strategies for limiting the time preschoolers spend in front of screens to ensure that they balance the screen time and a healthy upbringing, which is of paramount interest during the foundational years of growth.

Building A Balance.

Learn to recognize the importance of striking a balance.

Although time spent in front of a screen can benefit one’s education, it is still essential to strike a good balance.

To ensure that children are exposed to content that is both age-appropriate and of excellent quality, experts recommend that they spend no more than one hour each day in front of a screen. And the rest of the free time should be spent playing outdoors or indoors.

Establishing clear and consistent rules regarding screen time is crucial. The parents will have to share these rules or guidelines with the other caregivers so that all of them are on the same page

Experts Recommended Screen Time Guidelines.

The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) provides guidelines for screen time based on age.

For preschoolers aged 2 to 5, the AAP recommends limiting screen time to one hour per day of high-quality programming. The lesser, the better for your child.

It is a measure and it is better to have screen time of less than one hour for a child of this age group. It is concerning if your child is watching more than one hour daily at this point.

Parents should define clear guidelines for caregivers and your child about the time spent in front of a screen. You should communicate these instructions in way that your child will understand.

It may be beneficial to create a visual illustration or use timers to assist the child in comprehending the appropriate time to use electronic devices and the right time to engage in other activities.

Parents should decide on a specific time during the day for screen time. It is better to designate the screen time after the kid’s home assignment or after their meal time as their routine screen time.

Never allow the child to watch while you feed them. The outcome, in the long run, will not be favourable. Instead, it is better to explain to the child to eat first and then get the screen time as a reward. Screen time as a reward always works as a positive reinforcement.

It is challenging to initiate this reward process at the beginning. But a parent can be more persistent than the child to implement this rule for long-term benefit. Screen time influences the child so much that the child will eventually give up and get into a routine. But a parent must be a little more patient and persistent than their child.

Include your child in decisions about activities and routines. When your child feels involved, they are more likely to adhere to the agreed-upon limits.

Having a routine and following a rule will help a preschooler understand when it is appropriate to use screen time and when it is time for other activities.

Additionally, it’s crucial for parents and caregivers to follow the limit set by you. Consistency is the key when you are managing the excessive screen time behaviour.

Promote watching interactive and educational content.

Not all time spent on screens is of the same quality.

Consider selecting informative and interactive stuff to keep your preschooler’s mind engaged.

Search for mobile applications, video games, and films encouraging learning, creativity, solving problems, and developing social skills.

Implement parental control on the devices to restrict access to inappropriate content. Parental control helps ensure that your child is exposed to age-appropriate content.

Screen time should be an educational tool only.

Using screen time as an educational tool is better than using it as passive entertainment or a babysitter.

While using screen time as a babysitter might provide a temporary solution for busy parents, it comes with several disadvantages and potential negative impacts on children’s development.

These children are more prone to develop impaired social interaction, delayed language development, poor sleeping patterns, reduced physical activities, impaired cognitive development, unhealthy eating habits, etc.

Screen time dependence is more noticed in parents who use it as a babysitter than an educational tool. The reliance on screen time will start increasing in terms of increased duration of watching.

Provide real-world experiences.

Although screen time has advantages, it should never be a substitute for real-world experiences.

Encourage your child to play imaginatively, move physically, and socially interact with friends while playing games to promote overall development. This kind of activity will help the child with cognitive development.

Parents can provide real-world experience for their children by organizing activities such as playdates, arts and crafts projects, and outdoor trips for a well-rounded experience.

Establish gadget-free times and areas at your home.

Create a “gadget-free zone” in some parts of your home, such as the dining table or the bedroom, and be sure not to use gadgets there.

You can name these gadget free timings as “ family time” or “ fun time” to motivate the child to associate time with fun rather a period without gadgets.

Parents can act as role models and leave their devices in these gadget-free zones.

It is crucial to establish periods where screen time is not allowed, such as during meals with the family or before bedtime, to encourage meaningful relationships and ensure a restful night’s sleep.

Screen time before bedtime can negatively impact a child’s sleep in several ways. Screens like smartphones, tablets, computers, and TVs emit blue light, interfering with the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.

The child should not be allowed to have screen time 1 to 2 hours before bedtime to induce a  timely and healthy sleep routine in children of this age group. Children do not come with a switch where the switch is on; they are up, the switch is off, and it is time to fall asleep.

Parents can help ensure children get the restorative sleep necessary for their health and well-being by promoting a screen-free and calming bedtime routine.

It is a joint effort from all the family members to achieve discipline in screen time at this point rather than gaining the love and affection of the toddler. Hence, all the family members and caregivers should be instructed about the screen timings.

During this period, the other family members need to limit the background television noise, as it can distract the child from other activities and tempt the child to drift back to screen time mode.

The parents should help the children establish their boundaries regularly until a routine falls into place.

Act as a role model.

Children acquire knowledge through the process of witnessing their parents or caregivers. We often notice that the children imitate the parents or the primary caregivers. So, being mindful of your screen time habits is also better.

Engage in activities where screen time is not involved, and limit the time you spend in front of a screen to provide an example of healthy screen habits.

Ensure your child understands the significance of maintaining a healthy balance and enjoying life outside of technology.

Participate in joint viewing and joint playing.

Whenever feasible, participate in activities of joint viewing or joint playing with your preschooler.

As a result, you can direct and discuss the content, resulting in a more profound comprehension and connection.

Spending time in front of a screen can be an excellent opportunity for bonding and sharing experiences, like teaching the meaning of new words and explaining to them the use of a new object they saw in a video.

Watching with your child will also give you a better understanding of what your child likes to watch and play.

Remain knowledgeable and engaged.

Stay updated on the most recent research and recommendations around screen use for preschool-aged children.

Have open conversations with your child about what they are viewing or doing on their devices, explore new apps and games together, and remain involved in your child’s digital activities.

Be cautious about exposing your child to advertisements during screen time. Ads can influence their preferences, and the ads may not always be age-appropriate.

At this point, the child is not taught to let go of the information that is not needed, and they are in a stage to absorb everything good and bad.

Promote physical activity.

Motivate your child to participate in active play, both indoors and outdoors.

It is essential to provide them with toys, games, and activities that encourage physical activity, creativity, and imagination through play.

Active play will aid in achieving a harmonious equilibrium between prolonged periods of inactivity spent in front of screens and engaging in dynamic physical activities.

Offering other entertainment or activities is ideal when the preschooler initially asks for screen time. Offering other forms of entertainment will encourage them to explore the different activities available in their daily lives.

Outdoor play is crucial for gross and fine motor development. The child’s mind will process its surroundings when the child is regularly taken to the parks or even evening walks, which will also do wonders.

Encourage your preschoolers to engage in active and imaginative plays outdoors or indoors to balance the sedentary screen time.

Monitor and make adjustments as necessary.

Keeping track of total screen time in a day is very important. Experts recommend not allowing screen time of more than one hour per day for children between two and five years old.

Evaluate your child’s screen-time habits regularly and make necessary adjustments.

Since every child is unique, strategies that work for one child might not work for another child.

Maintaining flexibility and changing your approach is vital to achieving a healthy balance suitable for your child’s requirements and growth.

Red Flag Alert:

The red flag alert is the day your child throws a tantrum when the screen time is stopped, which hints that your child is developing a dependence on the screen time.

It is better to deal with the tantrum on day one than later. Remember, the tantrum will be more prolonged unless attended to on day one.

When you come across a tantrum, be calm and patient. Do not give in to the tantrum by allowing more screen time, as this can reinforce the child negatively, and the next time, the child cries louder and longer.

Teaching emotional regulation to a child at this point is essential. You can always say it is okay to feel sad or upset when asked to stop watching. But it is not acceptable to scream or cry for this reason.

Like adults, children do not like when someone suddenly pulls a device from their hand while enjoying screen time. Instead, giving a heads-up 5–10 minutes before ending the screen time is better.

When a child stops watching, a parent should appreciate the child by praising them. Praising will create positive reinforcement and encourage the child to continue repeating this habit in the future.

Conclusion:

Remember that transitioning away from excessive screen time is a gradual process. Be patient and consistent in implementing these strategies, and communicate openly with your child about the reasons behind the changes.

Parents should mention the reasons for the decrease in the screen time to their child. The child should be explained with the list of changes what a parent is noticing in them due to the excessive screen time like: red eye, limited outdoor play, change in behaviour, repeated tantrums, improper eating habits, improper sleeping habits etc.

Effectively regulating children’s time on screen requires a careful and thorough approach. It is best to establish clear guidelines, prioritise interactive and informative content, and encourage experiences based on the real world.

Remember that the goal is not to eliminate screen time but to achieve the optimal balance to assist their general growth and well-being.

Time spent playing with your child is never wasted.