By: Elizabeth Wotherspoon

In that moment when you’re passing off the iPad to your little one just to get a minute of peace, have you ever wondered what our parents did to occupy us without having access to screens?

Smartphones, tablets, TVs, and computers have become SO prevalent in our everyday lives. They hold our schedules, contacts, entertainment, and so much more and having everything in one spot makes our lives a little easier. The advances that have been made in technology are both incredible and useful, but we need to be careful about how much our children are interacting with screens.

I’m a new speech-language pathologist (SLP) and just like you (probably) I wondered, “What’s so bad about a screen? They keep kids busy and lots of the apps, videos, and TV shows target learning!” BUT, since I began working with children all day, every day I have come to learn (by seeing firsthand) that too much screen use can put children at risk for problems with language, attention, and cognitive and/or physical development.

How much is too much?

Based on recommendations in the Canadian Paediatric Society Position Statement – Digital Health Task Force Research Review (2017), children under the age of 2 should not be exposed to screens at all and children ages 2-5 should have exposure to screens for less than 1 hour per day.

Anything over these guidelines is simply too much screen time for a young child’s brain and body.

Some Good Things

There is some quality TV that is well-designed and age-appropriate for children beginning at about age 2. Some programs have specific educational goals and can be used as an ADDITIONAL route to early language and literacy for young children. Some programs include positive racial attitudes, imaginative play, and social-emotional development. Here are a few of some educational TV shows and WHY they can be beneficial for a child to interact with:

  • Super Why!
    • The Super Readers (the stars of the show) solve mysteries by finding super letters, adding them together to make simple words, and then choosing the word that will fix the problem. A great, literacy-positive message!
  • Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
    • Using the puppets, dolls, and theme song used by Mr. Rogers, this show focuses on social and emotional learning through short songs and stories.
  • Octonauts
    • Through the crime-solving sea creatures, kids learn about teamwork, empathy, and that all the characters serve a purpose.
  • Word World
    • The letters of a word are put together to form an image of that word. For example, the letters “p-i-g” are put together to look like a pig. This is helpful in teaching children that letters make words and that words have meaning!

As the Canadian Paediatric Society outlines, certain TV shows and interactive ‘learn-to-read’ apps and e-books can be helpful in building early literacy but ONLY when parents:

  • Watch screens together with their child and TALK about what is being seen and learned
  • Know what their kids are watching – ensuring it is age-appropriate and interactive
  • Combine screen use with active or creative play

BUT, research still proves that preschoolers learn language best from live, direct, and dynamic interactions with caring adults.

When to Avoid Screens

Even though screens are a central part of our everyday life and there is likely one in every room of the house, some times when screens should remain black include:

  • During mealtimes
  • During book sharing
  • Within 1 hour of bedtime
  • When trying to help children calm down

These are sacred times for a child and their family – not to be invaded by screens!

It is important to choose healthy alternatives as a family. Some activities to do instead of focusing on a screen could include reading, outdoor play, crafts, and hands-on activities.

Challenge Yourself

Just as your child may copy EVERYTHING they hear, they also copy actions so it is important that you are modeling healthy screen use. Be sure to limit your own screen use when children are present, turn off devices during family time, and turn off screens when they are not in use.

Check out this questionnaire you can do to assess your family’s screen use. Challenge yourself to complete the questionnaire and use it to come up with some family screen time rules!


Family Screen Time Self-Assessment

  1. Circle the types of screens that can be found in your home.
    1. TV
    2. Tablet
    3. Computer
    4. Smartphone
    5. Other
  2. Circle the types of screens your child uses.
    1. TV
    2. Tablet
    3. Computer
    4. Smartphone
    5. Other
  3. Would you consider watching TV programs or movies a shared family activity (whether watching on the television or other devices)?
    1. Yes
    2. No
  4. Would you consider watching TV programs or movies a common way to relax for your family?
    1. Yes
    2. No
  5. How often is a screen on in the background although no one is really watching?
    1. All the time
    2. Most of the time
    3. Some of the time
    4. Only while others are watching
    5. Never
  6. Does anyone in your family use screens during mealtimes?
    1. Yes
    2. No
  7. What do you watch with your child?
  8. What does your child watch alone?
  9. Choose one:
    1. I encourage conversation with my child while I am using screens
    2. I discourage conversation with my child while I am using screens
  10. Do you ever watch adult/commercial programming with your child?
    1. Yes
    2. No
  11. Does your child use screens while you do household chores?
    1. Often
    2. Sometimes
    3. Never
  12. Are there any screen-based activities in your child’s day care program?
    1. Yes
    2. No
    3. Not applicable
  13. If yes, do you know how much these screen-based activities are used?
  14. Does your child use any kind of screen before bedtime? If yes, How long before bedtime?
  15. Circle all that apply:
    1. There is a TV in my child’s bedroom
    2. There is a computer in my child’s bedroom
    3. My child takes mobile devices into his/her bedroom
    4. My child takes tablets into his/her bedroom
  16. Does your family have rules or guidelines for screen use that everyone understands and shares? If yes, what are they? If no, write some that you think would work for your family in the space below.