Limiting and Supervising Screen Tim …

Creating Healthy Young Minds

Growing up today means access to digital technologies that were not available to many parents growing up. At our bilingual Montessori school, we focus on authentic activities for young children. Understanding the healthy use of digital technologies is essential for children to learn early. Parents can help ensure healthy use habits are being built by supervising screen time, limiting use, and practicing healthy use habits themselves. Here are recommended guidelines to follow before introducing the digital landscape to young minds. 

Modeling Healthy Digital Habits

There are four evidence-based guidance areas to optimize and support children’s early media experiences: minimizing, mitigating, mindfully using, and modeling healthy use of screens.”  Practicing healthy use habits in the home allows young children to observe parents focusing on other activities that develop family connections, bonds, and knowledge. Modeling healthy use of screen time may be hard for some individuals, but young children need parents to model healthy habits at home to help them create boundaries early.

Focusing on the Young Mind

Minimizing screen time leaves more time for face-to-face conversations and more time for hands-on activities, which is wonderful for developing young minds. Given the choice, most young children prefer talking, playing or being read to over screen time. At our bilingual Montessori school we incorporate a healthy “play diet” by shifting our perspective to authentic play activities in the classroom. Limiting screen time at home opens the door to the opportunity for authentic play at home as well. Imagination is a beautiful thing, by fostering minds through play, not screen time, parents and caregivers allow children to develop into their true selves with limited outside influences.

Positive Perspectives for the Family

Parents can set up a Family Media Plan to help create boundaries that are safe for everyone in the home. Detailing screen time limits, who is supervising it, what activities are allowed, what channels are appropriate, and how to mitigate media use should all be included in a way that is comfortable for your family. Keep in mind that modeling healthy screen time for children is one of the best ways to help set boundaries early, so be mindful of personal use when creating the plan. Keep your media plan positive, do not focus on the “restriction” aspect so much as the opportunity that is given in its place. Crafting your plan with positive language and taking the perspective that this guideline grants opportunities will help get everyone in the home excited about limiting and supervising screen time.