Screen Time for Preschoolers – How much is too much?

Ananya, a four-year-old preschooler, was spending several hours a day watching cartoons and playing games on her tablet. Her parents noticed that she became irritable, had difficulty transitioning between activities, and struggled going to sleep. She was throwing a lot more tantrums and everything was just becoming more difficult at home, and the only way her parents could control her, and have some peace at home, was by allowing her to watch even more.

With the rise of digital devices and technology, it’s so hard for parents to figure out screen time! And given the fact that it’s summer and children are home all day, it’s so easy to just allow the children to be in front of a screen. But how much is too much? What are the effects on their development? How can we strike a balance between digital and physical play?

The Impact of Screen Time on Preschoolers

Research has shown that excessive screen time during early childhood can have various effects on children’s development. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, higher levels of screen time in preschool-aged children were associated with delays in developmental milestones, including language skills, cognitive development, and social-emotional skills¹.

Furthermore, another study found that screen time, particularly passive screen time (e.g., watching TV), was linked to decreased physical activity levels, poor sleep quality, and increased risk of obesity in young children as they snack more while watching TV.

 

Striking a Balance: Guidelines for Parents

While it’s tempting to use screens as a convenient distraction or educational tool, it’s essential to establish healthy screen time habits and prioritize physical play and interactive activities.

Here are some guidelines to help parents strike a balance:

 

Limit Screen Time

 1. Recommended Daily Limit: The Indian Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time to no more than one hour per day for preschoolers³.

2. Quality Over Quantity: Focus on high-quality, age-appropriate content that promotes learning, creativity, and active engagement.

3. Create Screen-Free Zones and Times: Designate specific areas in your home, such as bedrooms and dining areas, as screen-free zones to encourage family interactions and reduce screen dependency. Establish screen-free times, such as during meals, before bedtime, and during family activities, to promote face-to-face interactions and bonding.

 

Encourage Physical Play and Outdoor Activities

Prioritize active play and outdoor activities to support physical development, gross motor skills, and overall health.

Provide opportunities for unstructured play and imaginative play for creativity, problem-solving skills, and independence.

Practice what you preach

“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” – James Baldwin

You can’t expect children to not be interested in the screen, if that’s what’s they see the adults around hooked on to! Model healthy screen time habits by limiting your own screen time, prioritizing spending time with your children, and engaging in physical activities with them.

Use screens intentionally and purposefully, such as for educational purposes, learning new skills, or connecting with family and friends, rather than as a default entertainment option. Consider taking screen breaks and deleting apps that hook you and take up a lot of your time.

 

Conclusion

Coming back to Ananya’s story… Concerned about her screen time habits, her parents decided to implement some changes. They established a screen time schedule, limiting her to 45 mins of high-quality educational content per day, which they broke down into three sessions of 15 mins each. They stopped all screen time two hours before her bedtime- not just for Ananya, but for themselves too. They created a screen-free bedtime routine, incorporating reading books, storytelling, and calming activities to promote relaxation and sleep.

Within a few weeks, Ananya’s behavior improved significantly. She became more engaged in physical play, imaginative activities, and interactive games with her parents. Her sleep quality improved, and she was able to transition between activities more smoothly. Her tantrums were much less and she seemed a lot happier and less irritable.

Figuring out the world of screen time for preschoolers can be challenging, but with informed guidelines, intentional planning, and prioritizing physical play and interactive activities, parents can help their children develop healthy screen habits.

 

Footnotes

1. Association Between Screen Time and Children’s Performance on a Developmental Screening Test by Sheri Madigan, PhD, Dillon Browne, PhD, Nicole Racine, PhD, Camille Mori, BA, and Suzanne Tough, PhD in JAMA Pediatr. 2019 March 25; 173(5): 501.
2. Effect of Television on Obesity and Excess of Weight and Consequences of Health by Anna Rosiek,Natalia Frąckowiak Maciejewska, Krzysztof Leksowski, Aleksandra Rosiek-Kryszewska,and  Łukasz Leksowski
3. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358727383_Indian_Academy_of_Pediatrics_Guidelines_on_Screen_Time_and_Digital_Wellness_in_Infants_Children_and_Adolescents#:~:text=The%20Group%20recommends%20that%20children,children%205%2D10%20years%20age.