5 ways to make screen time a learning time for your toddler

Each toddler has a screen of their own. Call it the COVID side effect.  As a parent, one is concerned about what your toddler watches on the screen and how s/he interacts with it. While it may look as if we have few options to tackle this challenge, you would be happy to know that there are many interesting ways in which you can make TV time engaging as well as learning for your child.

Ways to make your toddler’s screen time productive

1. Interact with them while they are watching: Talk to your child when they are watching a TV as it will help them to enhance their imagination, and this will also pave their curiosity and creativity in them. Toddlers are very curious, he/she will start asking a lot of questions once you will start sitting with them. Ask about the cartoon they are watching, and their favorite character, and ask them to explain what’s happening in the story. 

2. Find educational content: Children and screens are like thread and needle, no matter how much you try, you can’t keep them away from it. Whatever they are watching, it is important to know the content they are consuming. There are a lot of cartoons and movies that are not just story based but are informative too. Choose the ones that teach them good habits and broaden their knowledge. Make sure your child learns something new every day. 

3. Involved in the activities based on their favorite show: Ask your child their favorite character from the show or cartoon they are watching currently. Try mimicking the same character or dressing up together to make the learning more interesting. You can also draw and paint the characters or objects from the show. This will also reduce their screen time as they will be involved in physical activities. Doing this will help your child to stay active physically and mentally. 

4. Download some learning apps: These days more than us, children are spending endless hours on mobile phones. Thus, it is crucial to check on what they watching or playing. Download some learning-based apps on your mobile phones which are fun and infotainment. 

5. Set the limits: Setting the limit is necessary as too much screen time will hamper their brain development. It is ok to let them watch but at the same time, it is important to decide how much they should watch.  Initially, your child will through tantrums and will be grumpy but gradually with time they will adjust to the pattern and schedule set for them.  

No matter, how much we make their screen time educational and engaging too much screen time can lead to 

1. Obesity 

2. Inadequate sleep 

3. Less social interaction

4. Body Ache

5. Anxiety and depression

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends 

• No screen time for kids under 18 months or below, except for video chatting. 

• From 18 to 24 months, if parents choose,  digital media should include only high-quality programming that the child and parent watch together. 

• For kids aged 2 to 5, screen time should be limited to 1 hour per day. Parents should have times when screens are turned off and bedrooms should be media-free.

• For Children 6 Years of Age and Older, consistent limits must be set on the use of media. 

I know it is hard to keep your child engaged in physical and social activities but it is possible if you will plan the schedule right away. If you are a parent like me who is sailing on the same boat then this blog will be helpful for you. Do share with other parents facing the same problem as you and me.