How Much Screen Time Should a Preschooler Have?

One of the hardest aspects of parenting is deciding when to draw lines in the sand.  How many potato chips are too many?  How long is it okay to really be in the sun?  Year after year, parents seem to be faced with new and different situations that push them to make a decision.  After all, the decisions parents make will ultimately help mold their children into what kind of teenagers and adults they become.  No pressure.

One of the newest topics is screen time, especially for children who are preschool-aged.  Yes, it’s true, preschoolers learn by interacting with the world around them – by touching, feeling and tasting.  Our reality, though, is digital.  The truth is even schools have incorporated tablets into the curriculum and knowing how to manage different devices and platforms is now a part of life. 

Time spent with screens, whether its televisions, phones or tablets, can actually be an opportunity to reinforce lessons and promote learning.  The American Academy of Pediatrics, AAP, recommends limiting the amount of time that preschoolers spend in front of any kind of screen.  It is also recommended that time spent in front of a screen be as productive as possible.  Preschoolers, ages two to five, should have no more than 1 hour of screen time per day.  

And no, all screen time is not created equal.  There will be exceptions to this rule.  For example, video chatting with family or friends is an exception since this can really be classified under interpersonal. 

As with anything else, the same parenting rules should apply to screen time.  Be with your preschooler during screen time and interact with them while they learn.  Certainly, do your research and know which apps and games will benefit your child the most.  If your preschooler has any identifiable learning needs, find apps and games that promote this type of learning. Keep devices like tablets and mobile phones under supervision.  These devices have become a way of life and if your child thinks you’re not paying attention, he or she may get a little sneaky!