Managing Screen Time with Toddlers: A Personal Journey
Managing screen time with toddlers can be a challenging yet essential part of raising them in today's digital age. From my personal experience, I have learned that it requires a careful balance of guidelines and situational flexibility. As a grandparent who has dealt with this issue firsthand, I have summarized my approach in this article.
Adapting to the Toddlers' Needs
When my grandson came to live with us a year ago, he brought a Kindle along with him. His father allowed it, but surprisingly, he would have tantrums when screen time was limited. This made dining time a challenging experience for him. To manage his behavior, I initially tried setting strict limits but found that this approach was ineffective. Eventually, I decided to eliminate screen time entirely. Since then, he has shown considerable improvement in his behavior and disposition. This experience reinforced my belief that young children should be kept away from electronic devices as much as possible.
Striking a Balance
While I always try to minimize screen time, there are situations where a quick fix is necessary, such as cooking dinner without a toddler at my feet. In the early days, Thomas episodes were a great option for managing screen time. These episodes allow for easy segmentation, making it simple to show only ten minutes at a time if needed. Although thomas episodes had a sensory aspect, like the original episodes with little figurines, they still resulted in some tantrums when it was time to turn off the TV. However, I consistently explained to him that if he did not comply, he would not be able to watch the following day.
Additionally, we watched a lot of educational content on YouTube, such as Kidstv123, while sitting together in the mornings. This provided a good source of learning and entertainment, but it did not make me want to pull my ears off. Nevertheless, over the past few years, I have maintained a "no TV before 4:00" rule. While it adds a bit more work for us, it has helped my kids develop a sense of responsibility and self-entertainment. At the ready in my drawer, we always have plenty of workbooks for them to keep them occupied.
Long-term Benefits of Limiting Screen Time
Studies have shown that limiting screen time in young children can significantly impact their development. Motor skills and the ability to focus on a single task are essential aspects of early childhood development. The rapid flashing of images on screens can train a child's mind to flit from one image to another, eliminating the ability to think deeply. This can create challenges when transitioning to a less digital environment, such as a school setting. By protecting their ability to focus through a careful screen time policy, children can develop more effectively.
Furthermore, we do not allow small children to use electronics in our household, whether it's a television, phone, or computer. My husband and I believe that children need to develop tracking and focus with the ability to concentrate on one thing at a time. In a classroom setting, if a child is unable to focus, they might be labeled as having ADHD, but this is often a result of the mind being trained to jump from subject to subject.
My children, numbering 15 in total, have been homeschooled and have developed strong skills in reading, writing, and mathematics before starting kindergarten. Most of them are proficient in at least three languages, and three of them are linguistic majors and international translators. By managing screen time wisely, we have helped them develop a strong foundation of knowledge and skills.
Creating a Child-friendly Environment
While 15 children can be difficult to manage, we have a rule of one television in the living room. Older children don't care, but younger ones enjoy watching cartoons on Saturday mornings. However, if they haven't completed their chores, nothing gets turned on except the radio. This is not a democracy but a dictatorship, and I am the empress. I can choose what we listen to on the radio, from Bach to BB King. This reinforces the importance of completing chores to spend time with entertainment.
In contrast to the many kids who are sitting in front of computers and developing weird skeletal issues like text neck, my children are outside racing go karts and climbing trees. When the average 13-year-old girl is stressed over her appearance, my 13-year-old is trying to catch a cardinal on the back porch. This is evident in her uncombed hair, which resembles a bird’s nest, but it highlights the importance of being outdoors and engaged in physical activities.
As I conclude this article, I hope that sharing my experiences and insights can help other parents and caregivers in managing screen time effectively with their toddlers. By taking a thoughtful approach, we can promote positive development and ensure that our children are well-prepared for the future.