Kids, Screen Time and Recommendations
The Real Scoop on Screen Time for Young Children: How Much is Too Much?
Let’s talk about something that’s become a big part of our daily lives: screen time. Whether it’s a quick YouTube video during breakfast, a tablet app to keep kids entertained on a car ride, or a cozy movie night, screens are everywhere. But how much is too much? Does too much viewing lead to language delays? And how can we make sure screen time is a positive experience for our children’s development?
Quantity Matters: Setting Limits on Screen Time
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry suggests that children under 18 months should only have screen time for video chatting with an adult. For kids aged 2 to 5 years, the recommendation is to limit non-educational screen time to about one hour per weekday and up to three hours on weekend days. These guidelines help ensure that children have enough time for other important activities, like playing, reading, and interacting with others, which are essential for their development.
The American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) collaborated with the Children's Screen Time Action Network at Fairplay to develop the Be TechWise series. These printable handouts—available in English and Spanish—focus on screen guidance for families with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
The main concern isn't that watching TV directly leads to language delays. It's that kids benefit the most when they're actively engaging in conversations with others. Problems can arise if screen time replaces those important real-life interactions and activities that support their development. Our best strategy? Let's give our kids plenty of opportunities to talk, explore, ask questions, and have meaningful interactions.
Quality Over Quantity: What Kind of Content is Best?
It’s not just about how much screen time children have—it’s also about what they’re watching. Research shows that fast-paced, highly stimulating shows like CoComelon and Little Baby Bum can negatively impact a child’s development. These types of shows often have rapid scene changes, flashy visuals, and non-stop action, which can overwhelm young brains. This overstimulation might lead to shorter attention spans, difficulty concentrating, and potential issues with speech and language development.
On the flip side, slower-paced, educational shows can have a positive impact. Shows like Bluey (Disney+), Sesame Street (PBS), Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood (PBS), and Mister Clay (YouTube) are excellent options. These programs are designed with young children's developmental needs in mind. They promote learning through storytelling, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence, all while engaging kids in a fun and age-appropriate way.
The Importance of Co-Viewing: Watch Together and Talk About It
One of the best ways to make screen time beneficial is to watch together and engage in conversations about what’s on the screen. This co-viewing experience turns passive screen time into an interactive activity. For example, you can pause a show to ask questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “Why is the character feeling sad?” This not only boosts comprehension and critical thinking but also enhances language development. Talking about and/or acting out a show after viewing is a great way to facilitate pretend play and language skills.
But when it comes to learning to talk, the most important takeaway concerns the effects of live conversations between children and adults.
Balancing Screen Time with Real-World Interactions
While screens can be educational and entertaining, they should not replace real-world interactions. Research has shown that children learn language best through direct interaction with adults and peers. Conversations, reading together, playing, and exploring the world around them are crucial for building strong communication skills. If screen time begins to replace these real-world activities, it may hinder a child’s ability to develop essential social and language skills.
Gestalt Language Learners can really benefit from using phrasing from songs or TV shows as their initial communication. When parents watch with their GLP (gestalt language processors), they are more easily able to identify the context of the phrase. One of the cons of lots of screen time for GLPS is that, “If a child only views media as their source of language, they might be inclined to continue amassing hundreds of gestalts from media, and potentially struggle to connect with natural language in their environment.” (Meaningful Speech, May 2024). To learn more about Gestalt Language processors click here)
High-Quality Shows to Consider for young children:
Here are some great shows that balance entertainment with educational value:
Bluey (Disney+): This show features a lovable Australian Blue Heeler puppy named Bluey and her adventures with family and friends. It promotes creativity, problem-solving, and social-emotional learning.
Ms. Rachel (YouTube): Focused on early language development, Ms. Rachel engages children with songs, stories, and interactive activities that encourage speech and communication skills.
Super Simple Songs: (You Tube) These songs have a variety of themes and the animations are, well…. simple. I often slow them down so children can sign along.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (Disney+): A classic choice for young kids, this show combines problem-solving with fun adventures led by Mickey and his friends.
Sesame Street (PBS): A long-time favorite that mixes fun with valuable lessons on literacy, numeracy, and social skills. It’s perfect for co-viewing and discussing topics like kindness, sharing, and understanding emotions.
Mister Clay (You Tube): Mister Clay is a fellow SLP who incorporates picture symbols into his songs. His songs are repetitive, catchy and teach real life concepts in a really fun and humorous way.
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood (PBS): Based on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, this show helps young children learn about emotions, routines, and life skills in a gentle, relatable way.
Boom Learning: These are digital, educational activities developed by educators that parents and children can use together as a shared activity. I use Boom Cards in speech therapy to target speech and language skills. Take a look at my Boom store for interactive activities such as “Who is Knocking on my Door?” and “Vet Clinc for Preschool Children” which are a HUGE hit with young children!
Making Screen Time Work for You
Remember, screen time isn’t inherently bad—it’s all about how we use it. By being mindful of the quantity and quality of the content, and by actively engaging with our children during screen time, we can turn it into a valuable tool for learning and growth.
Think of screen time as one of many tools in your parenting toolkit. When used thoughtfully and balanced with other activities, it can be a positive part of your child’s development. So, let’s make the most of it! Watch together, talk about what you see, and don’t forget to turn off the screens and enjoy some unplugged playtime, too. Your child’s brain—and future self—will thank you!
