[Hannah]

I think it is important that we are mindful of how much screentime children consume. I think in Childcare programs children shouldn’t really be utilizing screens especially if they are pretty young. Instead it could be beneficial to have a wide variety of activities they can do without their screens (which can help them maintain a good amount of time being active and creative!).

[Lacie]

I don’t think screen time should be used in any childcare facility. I think it is a tool we cannot run from given our day and age. I do think it does have good aspects especially with at home use where parents can use screens as a tool. However I do not think screen time should be a treat for being “good” or normalized at all.

[Trainer]

Lacie, your perspective on balancing screen time is insightful. It’s important to prioritize meaningful interactions in childcare settings.

[Gemma]

In my opinion, screen time should be extremely limited in childcare settings. While screen time at home is, of course, at a parent’s discretion, in a childcare setting, screen time should be nonexistent in the younger groups and should be limited to infrequent short videos that have educational value for older groups. Children may interact with media through audiobooks or music, but visual media and screen time should be limited.

[Macie Carlson]

My thoughts on screen time in childcare are that it is only okay in small periods of time. It should be educational, and should be teaching the child something of value. I do not think screen time is a good thing in childcare if you are using it to distract a child. There are plenty of other things to distract a child with; books, toys, talking, games, etc.

[Trainer]

Great insights, Macie! I agree that screen time should be limited and focused on educational content, promoting active engagement.

[Chi]

I believe screen time in childcare should be avoided because it takes away from the rich, real-world experiences children need to grow. When children are at daycare, they should be playing, talking, exploring, and moving not sitting in front of a screen. I’ve seen how much more engaged and confident kids become when they’re building with blocks, pretending in the kitchen corner, or painting at an easel.Screens can make children passive, and I’ve noticed they sometimes become more irritable or distracted after watching videos. Also, group screen time can be hard to manage since not all children are interested or developmentally ready to sit and watch the same thing. Instead, I’d rather spend time fostering language through storytelling, encouraging social interaction with turn-taking games, or guiding children through nature walks where they notice bugs and leaves. These real-life, sensory-rich experiences are what children will remember and benefit from the most.

[Trainer]

Chi, your insights on prioritizing hands-on experiences over screen time are thoughtful and emphasize the importance of active engagement in early childhood.

[Gabriella Reeves]

I am not a fan for screen time. I think in some uses for music its fine or for guided activities like Danny-go to get wiggles out but lets have them use their brain more. Often times i see kids at restaurants on ipads, they get enough screen time out of school lets try to engage them more in school and leave most the screen time at home.

[Trainer]

Great insights, Gabriella! Balancing screen time with engaging activities is crucial for children’s development. Your perspective is valued!

[Salwa]

Screen time does not appeal to me. I believe that music can be used in certain situations, and that guided activities like Danny-Go can help them release their wiggles while encouraging them to use their brains more. I frequently see kids using iPads in restaurants; since they get enough screen time outside of school, we should try to get them more involved in their studies and keep the majority of their screen time at home.

[Trainer]

Great points, Salwa! Balancing screen time with engaging activities promotes both physical movement and cognitive development.

[Adrienne]

I think screens have a lot of great resources. however, I feel like children should have limited or no screen time. Younger children can watch dance videos or music and dance along they could also play games that are educational. Interactions with adults and peers will always be better but if there is limited adults it may be best so the child has something receptive.

[Trainer]

Great insights, Adrienne! Balancing screen time with interactive play is essential for healthy child development.

[Gazelle Hudspeth]

I feel like screen time can rob the idea of playing and exploration. Unless it is a learning material that children can benefit from, but still limit their use of it. Children can easily get suck into brain stimulation easily. Sometimes they show more excitement when it’s screen time than when playing outside. Research shows the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen media (television, computer games, videos, DVDs, etc.) for children two and younger. Older children should see no more than 1-2 hours per day. So, I think this is clear that there are big effects that can cause damage to babies exposed to screen time. We must always check ourselves as Childcare providers and start making better decisions in keeping the kids busy, active, and happy without screen time.

[Trainer]

Great insights, Gazelle! Your emphasis on balanced screen time and prioritizing active play aligns well with developmental needs.

[Makini]

I don’t believe in a ton of screen time, instead we can use those hours outside in nature

[Trainer]

Great perspective, Makini! Balancing screen time with outdoor activities fosters holistic development and connection with nature.

[Gissel]

I believe that screen time is not necessary nor needed with children, it take away the kids wanting to experience of wanting to explore knew things and having fun with friends and family.

[Trainer]

Great point, Gissel! Encouraging exploration and social interaction is vital for children’s development and well-being.

[Kodi Null]

I do not think it is an important factor in the childcare setting. At these ages, play based is more beneficial.

[Megan Bryant]

Screen time should be limited and only occasionally used to enhance a lesson. Children should first learn social skills, how to self-regulate without a screen, and to interact with their direct environment and peers before relying on screens for their primary source of information. I think a lot gets lost and can cause delays in children socially or mentally when they are constantly in front of a screen.

[Logan White]

I believe that screen time is a net negative for children in our care. It is our job to provide an environment where they can build, explore, and interact with so that they can be functional adults later on in life. While looking at screens, kids don’t have an outlet for the stimulation that they are getting, and they lose out on opportunities to learn and interact with others.

[Trainer]

Logan, your insights highlight the importance of hands-on interactions for children’s development. Great points on fostering exploration!

[Saul]

I believe some screentime can be beneficial, as long as they are learning from it. If it’s not educational, then no screen time would be best.

[Trainer]

Great point, Saul! Balancing educational content with screen time is essential for optimal child development.