[Maryleen Wonne]

I believe that screen time should not be used for children in childcare unless it is a 3-5 dance video or something similar.

[Riley]

As an early childhood educator who does not support excessive screen time, I believe it is crucial to consider the developmental needs of young children when discussing the use of screens in childcare settings. The early years of a child’s life are foundational for cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Research indicates that excessive screen time can have detrimental effects on these areas of growth.

Developmental Impact of Screen Time

1. Cognitive Development: Young children learn best through active engagement with their environment. Screen time often promotes passive consumption rather than interactive learning. Studies suggest that children under the age of two should avoid screen time altogether, as this is a critical period for brain development. For older toddlers and preschoolers, limited screen time can lead to reduced opportunities for imaginative play and problem-solving skills.

2. Social Skills: Interaction with peers and adults is vital for developing social skills such as empathy, cooperation, and communication. When children spend significant amounts of time on screens, they miss out on essential face-to-face interactions that help them learn how to navigate social situations. This lack of interaction can lead to difficulties in forming relationships and understanding social cues.

3. Physical Health: Increased screen time is associated with sedentary behavior, which can contribute to obesity and related health issues in young children. Active play is essential for physical development; it helps build motor skills and encourages a healthy lifestyle. In childcare settings, prioritizing physical activity over screen-based activities fosters better health outcomes.

4. Emotional Development: Engaging with screens can also affect emotional regulation in young children. The fast-paced nature of many digital media can overstimulate young minds, leading to increased anxiety and difficulty managing emotions. In contrast, hands-on activities like art or outdoor play promote emotional expression and resilience.

Guidelines for Screen Time in Childcare

Given these concerns, I advocate for strict guidelines regarding screen time in childcare environments:

• Limit Use: If screens are used at all, they should be limited to high-quality educational content that promotes learning rather than passive viewing.
• Interactive Engagement: Any screen time should involve adult interaction—co-viewing programs together or discussing content afterward—to enhance understanding and connection.
• Prioritize Active Play: Childcare programs should emphasize active play experiences over screen-based activities to support holistic development.
• Educate Parents: It’s important to communicate with parents about the potential risks associated with excessive screen time and encourage them to engage their children in more interactive forms of play at home.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while technology has its place in modern education, the potential negative impacts of screen time on young children’s development cannot be overlooked. As an early childhood educator committed to fostering healthy growth in children, I firmly believe that minimizing screen exposure is essential for nurturing well-rounded individuals who thrive socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically.

[Kay]

I don’t think screen time should be allowed in childcare. Research has shown that it has adverse effects, especially on children under 2. I think it is better to play music, read books, and play.

[Heather Mansfield]

screen time is okay if it has a purpose for older kids or is used as a reward at the end of the week

[SAMANTHA]

I don’t agree with any amount of screen time being an issue unless it’s interfering with their learning.

[Jada Pieterick]

I believe it is unnecessary to have screen time in childcare settings. There are so many opportunities for quality learning experiences that they may not have exposure to at home and this is something that childcare centers can provide.

[Trainer]

Well said, Jada! Children benefit more from hands-on learning experiences in childcare settings.

[Betsy Holder]

I don’t think screen time should be used in childcare settings, besides maybe a occasional 5 minute video if it’s necessary for a lesson. Children in day care should be interacting socially or with their environment and working on motor skills by moving around. Instead of a video, teachers can play a audio book or use materials to put on a play or puppet show.

[Shayla Fanony]

I think screen time is a good treat or reward for a child, but should not be a main part of a child’s day. After reading about the negative effects of screen time on a child’s brain development, i would encourage parents to have more activities for their children like art, sports, sensory play, in order to decrease screen time.

[Pacifica]

I think screen time should be very limited and monitored. For development, it is so important to engage with and communicate with a young child. Even as they develop, music and audiobooks can provide the same distraction but encourage imagination that video media simply doesn’t.

[Rachel Coon]

I see no reason for screen time for young kids, even young elementary kids. They genuinely do not need it, unless maybe to call parents if they are in unsafe situations. Otherwise, there are more harmful impacts than good. A few movies or TV shows are fine once the kid is kindergarten age.

[Anwesha Ray]

I have never been a fan of screen time. I absolutely adhered to no screen time till the age of 3. After that I have allowed a little screen time to my son. Eg 15 mins on the clock per day. He gets a timer and then the tv is switched off.

I prefer him reading/colouring/dancing/singing to watching tv. Initially it was MY preference but after years of diligent practice now my son prefers it that way.

[Hillary]

Excessive screentime effects social skills and emotional development. Screen time should always be limited in learning care environment and suggested for at home.

[Thao Doan]

In childcare settings, screens should be used as a useful tool rather than a primary activity. Screen time should be intentional—used to enhance educational experiences and not replace the critical, hands-on play, social interaction, and physical activity that young children need to thrive. Caregivers and educators should also take an active role in guiding children through their screen interactions, ensuring that the content is age-appropriate and beneficial to their development.

[Juana]

My thoughts on screen time are balanced I believe when children are way overstimulated and having a rough time focusing such as a child with autism or a child who has disabilities it could be the only thing to calm them down, but as well as limits to screen time when given too much screen time children can become overly aggressive and overstimulated very easily if they are in front of a screen too many hours of the day, and it can cause them to lose focus of everything else round them or they become dependent on a screen for happiness and that is why im balanced because screens can have their benefits and disadvantages.

[Irene]

Screen time is a big NO! Parents should give their children variety of activities than screen time…