Media Use

Screen Time 

A common question heard among parents is how much screen time should a preschooler have in a day? On average a preschooler should only have one hour a day of screen time, this includes Ipads/tablets, smart phones, television, computer screens, etc. It is so important to limit the time spent on screens to enhance your child’s play and social skills. When allowing your child their daily screen time, be sure you know what they are playing or viewing. If they are watching something new or ask for a new game, take a few minutes to view it first before they watch the show or play the game. There are a lot of inappropriate shows and games that preschoolers are exposed to that come across at first glance as child friendly. For example, Huggy Wuggy and Poppy Playtime. Just hearing the name of those shows one might assume they are appropriate for young children, however they are not. If your child is watching YouTube videos, make sure they are on YouTube Kids, however know that sometimes that isn’t always safe either. And no matter what they are watching if there are ads, these are not censored for the target audience therefore they may be viewing inappropriate movie previews or inappropriate advertisements for their age group. Most shows and games are rated so if you don’t have time to view it first, check out the rating before making a decision. As a parent, you can set a positive example for your child. For example, when you are talking to others make sure you are making eye contact with the person you are talking to and not multitasking (texting and talking), make sure the dinner table is a screen free zone (use this time to talk about your day, turn off the tv and leave all phones or devices away from the table), set time limits for yourself (let your child see you have screen free time), have family board game nights, etc. In today’s world we are exposed to technology everywhere we go. It can be hard to limit the amount, but it will make a huge difference in your child’s overall behavior if you do. If there is a choice between screen time or playtime- pick play time. It gives their imagination time to grow! Limiting screen time before bedtime will also help with their sleep which can help improve their overall behavior. Below are some websites with more information on screen time for preschoolers and ratings. 

Screen time: 

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/screentime-preschool.

html https://childmind.org/article/media-guidelines-for-kids-of-all-ages/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/screen-time/art-20047952 

Ratings: 

https://www.thetvboss.org/tv-ratings/ 

https://www.spectrum.net/support/tv/tv-and-movie-ratings-descriptions