There’s so much talk about screen time for children, but some screen time is more valuable than other screen time. Study after study shows that the more parents are involved in young children’s screen experiences, the more kids learn. Choosing more engaging screen experiences is what transforms TV and game time into quality time that supports your child’s social and academic growth and fosters family bonding.
Here are 4 tips for improving your child’s screen time:
- Ask what your child what they liked most about the show or game they just watched
- See what fun activities from the show or game your child might like to try (If it’s a PBS KIDS show, you might find some of them here)
- Ask older children to explain the plot of the show or game
- Choose one night a week for a Family Night (or join us for ours) for a co-viewing experience
Make Screen Time More Valuable
Getting the most out of screen time starts with knowing what you want to accomplish with your child and understanding all the positive things digital media can spark in your child. Did you know games and media can actually promote social-emotional growth and conversation? Shows like Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood can help younger children learn important social skills like empathy and recognizing emotions when also discussed with their families.
You may have to set boundaries to achieve your family’s goals, including working screen time into your routine. These resources will help you form your family plan:
How to Overcome Your Fears About Kids’ Screen Time
As parents we have anxiety over our kids’ screen time. Let’s challenge this approach and raise our expectations about the positive media and technology can bring to our children’s lives.
Fostering Quality Screen Time With Your Kids
Not all screen time is equal. Here’s how to ensure your young children are getting the most out of screen technology.
Helping Children With Autism Get the Most Out of Digital Media
Kids and media is a top thought for most parents, but what role does media play in the life of a child with autism? Here are some ideas to think about how best they can interact with media.
Setting Up a Healthy Media Relationship With Your Child
Navigating technology in our homes has certainly become more interesting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some ideas based on how one mom chose to handle media with her 4-year-old.
Can My Child Become Addicted to Screens?
Screen Time (iQ Smartparent)
In this episode, education experts answer these questions: when does a screen work best, and when should kids be engaged in alternative forms of interactions, such as textbooks, human, and hands-on projects? Experts also explore how to set realistic and responsible screen-time rules for kids.
Try screen time boosts
From television to games to video chats, there are so many ways to turn screen time into family bonding time. If you’re looking for something simple to try with your child, here are a few quick reads:
7 Tips to Turn Screen Time into Quality Family Time
Children form special bonds with TV characters. So what can parents do to leverage these warm, friendly relationships with characters to support a child’s growth?
Making the Most Out of Screen Time: Conversation Starters
Co-viewing media is a great way to engage with your child, but it's not always possible. Here are some questions to ask your kids after they watch their favorite PBS KIDS shows!
13 Activities to Make the Most Out of Video Chats With Kids
Video chat is a great tool for staying in touch with distant family and friends. Here's how to make the most of this technology with fun activities for your child.
Swap out screen time with play time
When it’s time to step away from the screens, try making a connection to your child’s favorite PBS KIDS shows to make the transition easier! Do they love “Wild Kratts”? Encourage them to activate their creature powers in this game (while also making daily tasks extra fun)! Or if they love “Elinor Wonders Why,” try playing this nature bingo game to take outside and explore together. Here are some other ways you can unplug:
Get Moving!
Bust a move, dance and get the wiggles out! Whether you’re crawling or creeping, hopping or galloping together, make some time for learning through play!
Play and Learn With Off-Screen Activities from PBS KIDS
Our favorite PBS KIDS shows are not only fun for my children, but also have proven educational benefits. Here are four ideas to extend the learning and fun of your family’s favorite PBS KIDS shows and characters to off-screen activities.
How much is too much screen time?
Even by conservative estimates, the average American spends over 6 hours per day staring at a screen. What does the scientific research say about it? Watch this KQED San Francisco video co-produced with Common Sense Education.