How to Reduce Screen Time for Preschoolers
Is your preschoolers’ screen time addiction out of control? Learn why and how you should reduce screen time to a healthier amount.
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What is Screen Time?
Screen time refers to activities done in front of a screen, like watching TV and playing video games.
Did you know that having TV on in the background is even considered to be screen time? Both actively watching a screen and passively listening to it in the background are counted towards a child’s screen time limit.
Yikes! Why is that?
Well when the TV is on in the background, and your child doesn’t seem to be paying attention to it, the TV is still activating the child’s brain.
Also, we as parents tend to speak less when the TV is on, even if it’s just on in the background.
This is important to know because little children NEED to have as many opportunities as possible to hear and speak the language they’re learning.
This is directly correlated to their speech and language development. When these factors are diminished, speech and language delays may occur.
As a speech-language pathologist, I’ve seen this contribute to or worsen children’s speech, language, and social communication delays.
So, does that mean that screens should never be used? Before 2 years of age, it is highly discouraged.
Let me just add, I’m not perfect with this standard. When my 4 year twins get their screen time, my 1 year old is also in the room. She enjoys playing on the floor while they watch their show, and occasionally she’ll glance up at the screen or dance along with the music.
I feel content knowing that their screen time is limited. Speaking of limits…
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What is the Screen Time Limit for Preschoolers?
According to the Mayo Clinic, screen time should be limited to one hour per day of high quality programming for 2-5 year olds.
Yikes! We are way above that some days!
They also state that the quality of screen time is more important than the amount of time spent.
So, it sounds like if children watch high quality content, then it’s okay if they go a little over the limit.
I like that conclusion! 😉
Okay, but…
What is High Quality Screen Time?
High quality screen time is a show or app that has the ability to improve your child’s cognitive or physical development.
To learn more about how to improve the quality of your child’s screen time, read Screen Time and Children: How to Guide Your Child.
There are great shows and apps out there that foster your child’s development! Some fun ones on YouTube that my kids love are Katie’s Classroom and Blippi. Also, Curious George is always a mom-approved favorite.
Looking for a free learning app? The PBS Kids has some great games. Download the PBS Kids App here.
I give these types of programs to my children guilt-free.
Versus the repetitive YouTube videos of people moving toys around or playing with play dough.
I watch my kids vegging out on these shows as my stomach turns into knots. I’ve nearly banned these shows in our house.
I’ve told them if they want to watch someone else play with toys, they can watch each other!
Haha but seriously, what’s the hype??
Okay, but what if we go way over the screen time limit?
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Is Too Much Screen Time Bad?
According to the Mayo Clinic, too much screen time and poor-quality screen time has been linked to:
- obesity
- sleep issues
- behavioral problems
- delays in speech-language development
- delays in social communication
- attention problems
- less time spent learning
Alright, I’m convinced! But…
How Do I Reduce My Kids’ Screen Time?
Well, there are a few questions we need to ask ourselves first.
- When does my child want screen time?
- What types of activities does my child enjoy (other than screens)?
When Does My Child Want Screen Time?
Identify the windows that your child normally asks for or expects screen time. Common windows are first thing in the morning, when the baby goes down for a nap, after their nap, and during dinner prep.
For a gentle approach, start by reducing one window of screen time per day, until the habit breaks during that window of time.
For example, if you choose the after naps window, you’ll work on replacing the screen during that window for a few consecutive days until that habit breaks. Or until they don’t expect a screen during that time anymore.
During those days, allow screen time during the other windows your child normally expects.
What Types of Screen-Free Activities Does My Child Enjoy?
Now, think of some activities your child enjoys.
Does he enjoy playing outside, playing with puzzles, or coloring?
Make a list of activities he loves. Make notes next to each activity with ideas to present them in new ways.
No need to reinvent the wheel. Pinterest can tell you 15+ new ways to play with that toy that your child already loves. For example, type in “counting bears activities,” then jot down the first easy idea you see.
You’ll want to present activities you know they’ll love (and hopefully can be independent with) during the window of time you’re trying to break from the screen.
But you can’t just plop your child down in front of the activity, walk away, and expect them to go for this screen time switcheroo!
Presentation is key!
How to Present Screen-Free Activities
The presentation of the activity is very important.
First, set up the activity in a room that doesn’t have a screen, preferably without your child seeing.
Then go to your child with the most excitement you can muster.
With big eyes and a big smile say, “There’s something new for you at the kitchen table”.
Hopefully, this anticipation alone gets them excited.
Then walk to the kitchen together. When they see their board puzzle with the pieces in all the wrong spaces, say “Who did that? Did you do that?”
They’ll think that’s hilarious and quickly get to work on putting it back together.
Or, after your child’s nap, say something like, “We’re doing something new today. We’re going outside to play right now. What?? We never get to do that after your nap!”
Early Morning
Reducing this screen time window has been hard for us lately. The twins have been waking up way too early, and it’s so easy to give them a screen, so I can continue what I was doing.
If they wake up before 6am, they are infringing upon my time. My quiet time in the morning is sacred because we don’t get much of it as moms.
This is my favorite time of the day, so it’s really hard to cut it short when the kids wake up early.
Interested in starting a morning routine that you’ll be in love with too? Check out 5-Step Simple Morning Routine for Stay-at-Home Moms.
So can we do in the mornings reduce the screen time?
If your child wakes up before you’re ready to entertain them, consider preparing an independent activity for them the night before.
Lay it out for them, so you don’t have to do anything when they wake up.
Or, if ready to start your day as a mom, consider using this first 30 minutes to an hour as quality time with your child.
You could read books, do a puzzle, or help them with a workbook.
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When Baby Naps
If you have a little baby, I know you’ve stored away your other children’s little toys that would otherwise be a choking hazard for baby.
Toys are always more exciting when they haven’t been seen in awhile.
So, when putting the baby down, pull out those small toys you’ve stored away.
Before putting the baby down for a nap, set up an activity with these toys in a designated area (so the pieces don’t get lost).
The Counting Bears is one activity I’ve stored away. When I pull them out, I confine them to a rug in our kitchen.
With the baby in your arms say to your little preschooler, “Oh no, your bears are trapped in the kitchen. They need your help! I left you some tools to break them free. Hurry, go see!”
Once the baby is down, they can continue playing if they wish, but most of the time we go play outside to keep the house quiet.
The Unholy Dinner Prep Hour
The dinner prep hour is the hardest screen time window for me to give up! I don’t want to eliminate this one completely.
I’m exhausted from the long day and I’m desperate for some relief.
I have, however, been able to reduce this screen time window to less than a whole hour.
For this window, the twins need to clean something to earn their screen time.
The house is usually (haha how about always) a mess from the day. So, the deal is they need to clean up all the messes they made before getting their show.
This could and probably should be done more than once per day. Ideally, twice a day. It can be pretty overwhelming for a preschooler to pick up everything they played with in a day all at once.
Heck, that’d be overwhelming for me too!
Ideally, I want everything in its place before we start dinner.
That means the:
- floors are picked up
- toys are put away
- laundry is put away
- beds are ready for the night (they have all the things they need to sleep)
If that’s too much to ask from them that particular day, then I will ask that the main areas are taken care of:
- Walkways
- Bedroom floor
- Bed
Here’s the catch, if they clean up quickly, they’ll get more time for their show. If they’re playing instead of cleaning, well then they’re losing time for their show. It’s up to them.
Before you know it, their screen time has been reduced some days by a little, and some days by a lot.
Ours has gone from about 1 hour to about 30 minutes.
Depending on your child’s age, they may need a lot of assistance and/or motivation to pick up their things.
I’d suggest making dinner that requires minimal prep for these first few days while they’re adjusting to this new routine.
How to Manage After Nap Crankiness
If your preschooler still naps then you are well aware of the after-nap crankiness that occurs! Mine stopped napping around their 4th birthday, but before that, some afternoons were pretty bad.
They acted possessed! A few times, I was convinced they were getting sick. They’d work themselves up so much that they’d run a fever!
My husband would get home an hour or two later, observe then acting normally, and think I was making the whole thing up!!
All that to say, sometimes my kids were too cranky to play right after their nap.
On these afternoons, consider holding them for a few minutes outside. Let them observe nature.
Nature has a way of calming and distracting kids when they’re in distress.
I did this all the time when my twins were 3 and under, and still do sometimes now that they’re 4.
If walking outside isn’t feasible, hold your child and look out the window. This has worked plenty of times for us too.
But some days, a miracle would occur, and they wouldn’t be cranky.
Okay, not really a miracle. It was really the presentation of an “exciting” new activity. Exciting is in quotes because it really depends on how much you hype it up!
Seeing these fun activities right when they woke up would miraculously snap the crank right out of them! Thank you Lord!
Other Screen-Free Activity Ideas
If your child loves arts and crafts, give them access to these materials! Let them be creative!
Some favorite screen-free activities in our house include:
Big broken down boxes / poster board and markers
Dollar store activity books
Blank paper plus art supplies like crayons, stickers, scissors, and tape
Designing hats/crowns with construction paper, colored pencils, and stickers
Draw up your own worksheets and insert them in a worksheet cover!
Busy Books
Prepare Your Child Ahead of Time
Once you’ve selected the screen time window you want to reduce, tell your child what to expect. A few days in advance is ideal.
Tell them, “We’re doing something new on Monday. When you wake up in the morning, we are going to read your morning devotional and then you can choose two books for me to read. Then we’ll eat breakfast”
Or, “When I’m making dinner tomorrow, you’re going to pick up all your toys and then you can watch a show”.
What To Do When Your Child Wants the Screen
Keep in mind that your child may be very resistant to playing a new activity during a window she normally expects a show or an iPad.
If she’s not going for your exciting presentation of the activities or games, you have a few options:
- Start playing with the activity. Use big facial expressions and talk to yourself like you’re having the time of your life! You could pretend there’s a problem, like you don’t know how to do part of the activity. Then wait for your child to jump in and help you.
- Refuse to provide the screen even if they cry and scream. If you remain strong, they will learn that you are serious about this new rule you are implementing.
- Offer the screen. Consider it a win that you reduced screen time by a few minutes. You may need to start very small. Each day strive to reduce their screen time by a few extra minutes.
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Supplies for Reducing Screen Time
- Counting Bears
- Board Puzzles
- Construction Paper
- Twistable Crayons
- Markers
- Colored Painter’s Tape
- Scissors
- Stickers
- Blank Paper
- Worksheet Cover
- Preschool Workbooks
With these steps, limiting screen time can be easy. Reducing it little by little is a gentle approach. On the other hand, eliminating all screen time at once can be done, but it will be more painful for all involved.
It’s up to you on how you reduce your child’s screen time!
What have you found helpful in reducing your child’s screen time?
