3 (realistic) tips for screen time with your very young child
Screen time happens. That’s just reality. I’m a mom to a toddler and it’s very difficult to abide by the rule of absolutely no screen time. I think we all know that’s especially true with the challenges of this year.
Sure. I’m an SLP and I know that screens do not facilitate speech development. I just want to be transparent in sharing that screen time does happen in my house. It is recommended that very young children have extremely limited, or preferably zero, screen time. I do believe in the importance of interactive face to face time with your child, spending time sharing interests with your child and carving out play time with your child. I just know that everyone has to do what’s best for their family on a day to day basis with their work/life balance.
Instead of pushing for 100% screen free days at your house, I’d rather share a few tips and ideas to just help create a balance for you. To help make screen time a bit more of a positive experience for you and your child.
Here’s a start with 3 (realistic!) ideas:
Allowing screen time is often a part of real life. I encourage you to block off a window of time in your day to be screen free but not be too hard on yourself when a screen free day didn’t happen. If you can select time when you’ve finished working for the day where you can remove yourself from your screens and your child from theirs, start there and make the most of some full-on attention, interactive play time with your little one. You’ll both enjoy some bonding time and you’ll feel successful that you split up the screen time for the day. Dedicate this window of screen free time to fun engaging activities with your child.
If you have a young baby, toddler, preschool-aged kiddo then they may enjoy watching nursery rhymes. Watching the video itself does not facilitate improved speech development but if you’re able to be near your child while they’re watching then I encourage you to chime in! You should sing the nursery rhymes in person with your child. They learn to talk from you rather than the show. Also, participate in person with baby to do all the hand motions or gestures that go with the nursery rhymes so your child can learn them and participate in singing along and doing all the motions for each song next time. Maybe you’ll catch them clapping along to “happy and you know it” after learning from you!
Check out some of the options for your child’s screen time ahead of time. There are a lot of storybook read alouds, sing a longs, educational videos and appropriate shows out there as you search. You can get an idea of what you will or won’t allow during your child’s screen time. Some videos will highlight colors, numbers, letters and some will document a fun experience like visiting a museum or a farm. Again, I know the recommendations do not encourage a lot of screen time. I just want to help you navigate what’s available for the times you do need to allow some tv watching. You’ll feel better knowing you’ve found some approved options so you always know what your child is viewing. It keeps things safer and more appropriate for your child.
Being mindful of the use of screen time in your house is important.
Do what you can to create a balance for your child in terms of screen time vs screen free time.
Try to facilitate speech development during your dedicated face to face time by providing your full attention, using play to create communication opportunities, following your child’s lead during free play time and being a supportive communication partner for your little one.
Like it? Please leave a comment with how you plan to incorporate these useful screen time tips at home!
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