Child Care Basics
Public Washington
Public Washington
Active 6 weeks ago
Public Washington
Screen time in childcare
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Jessica encinas
MemberDecember 9, 2025 at 9:06 amMy thoughts on screen time 1-2 hours is okay and by you monitoring what it is their watching , if you see it’s not very brain steming then maybe something else more suitable , I do think screentime should be a reward system though for sure seeing how much the kids do react to having screen time , I do think by implementing interactive, physical screen time videos is also a tool that could be used for making everybody inclusive.
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Great insights, Jessica! Monitoring content and using screen time as a reward can positively impact engagement and inclusivity.
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Whitney Riojas
MemberDecember 11, 2025 at 5:33 amI think kids should have minimal screen time. I feel the children stay more engaged when they are occupied with learning activities with music in the background, rather than just turning on a screen.
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Great insight, Whitney! Engaging activities with music can foster creativity and interaction, enhancing children’s overall learning experience.
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Claire Lindal
MemberDecember 14, 2025 at 1:10 amDepending on the age of a child, there should be little to no screentime specifically for children 5 and younger. It can inhibit their development, they are more likely to become bullies, they are more likely to develop prejudices, etc.
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Great insights, Claire! Balancing screen time with developmental needs is crucial for young children’s growth and social skills.
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Alison T
MemberDecember 20, 2025 at 12:10 amI believe that screen time and internet access should be allowed for the purposes of enhancing a child’s education especially for children at younger ages (K-5). Using technology or media for the purpose of a child’s entertainment should also be strictly monitored for the child’s safety with screen time posing a harmful risk of exposing a child to inappropriate ideas, incorrect information, or excessive amounts of time decreasing the child’s level of social, outdoor, or independent development.
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Great insights, Alison! Balancing educational screen time with safety and developmental activities is crucial for young children.
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Eliana
MemberDecember 22, 2025 at 4:05 amI think if moderated and executed properly, screentime in childcare doesn’t require prohibition. If the screen is being used for things such as a demonstration for a current topic at hand, and fun active activity like dancing, or an interactive game, then screentime is benefitting the entire class as a whole. I believe screentime shouldn’t be used for personal and noneducational purposes within the classroom however.
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Great insights, Eliana! Your emphasis on moderation and purposeful use of screen time is crucial for enhancing learning experiences.
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Emilie Han
MemberDecember 26, 2025 at 6:03 pmI work with 3 and four year old’s and we don’t like to have any screen time. We limit the screen time to zero. The best thing for kids is interact with alive humans. that being said at home it is different.
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I believe that screen time for children in childcare shouldn’t be aloud. Children learn best through hands on experiences, play, movement and direct interaction. Children need face to face interaction to support brain development and language growth.
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Great points, Cayleigh! Hands-on experiences and face-to-face interaction are crucial for children’s holistic development. Keep advocating for active engagement!
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I believe there shouldn’t be screen time <strong data-start=”222″ data-end=”271″>in childcare settings, especially for infants and toddlers. Research shows that young children learn best through <strong data-start=”364″ data-end=”425″>relationships, play, movement, and real-life interactions, not passive screen viewing. Excessive screen time can negatively affect attention, language development, executive function, and social skills.Following the <strong data-start=”586″ data-end=”620″>American Academy of Pediatrics guidance, children under two should not have screen time, and older children should have no more than 1–2 hours per day total – ideally at home. Childcare programs can support families by providing <strong data-start=”817″ data-end=”845″>screen-free environments and focusing on hands-on learning, conversation, creativity, and active play. This allows children to build healthy brain development and strong relationships during their time in care.
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Great insights, Mita! Emphasizing hands-on learning and real-life interactions is crucial for young children’s development.
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I believe that screen time in childcare can be appropriate if it enhances the learning of the child but it still should be limited
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Great point, Tereza! Balancing screen time with interactive learning is essential for healthy child development.
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SWARNLATA
MemberJanuary 23, 2026 at 3:20 am<strong data-start=”43″ data-end=”130″>Screen time in childcare should be limited and used only when it supports learning. Young children learn best through play, interaction, and hands-on experiences. Screens should not replace active play, outdoor time, or relationships with caregivers.
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Great points, Swarnlata! Balancing screen time with interactive play is essential for holistic child development.
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My thoughts on screen time for children are that if a child is 4-6 years of age, I would put a timer on the screen time for an hour or 2 and once the timer goes off that’s all the screen time they get besides a TV. But if the child is much older, around 7-10 I would allow the timer off and let the child try to be independent of managing their own screen time.
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Lailah, your approach to balancing screen time with age-appropriate independence is thoughtful and promotes responsible habits in children.
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Emily
MemberJanuary 26, 2026 at 9:44 pmI think that screen time at a very younger age shouldn’t even happen it is teaching them immediate gratification and giving them shorter attention spans, I think that audio books and music and physical toys are so much better. And if screen time is something that a child has it should be very limited.
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Great points, Emily! Promoting interactive and physical play is essential for healthy development, especially in early childhood.
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Alma Hernandez
MemberJanuary 28, 2026 at 8:55 pmScreen time in childcare is best approached <strong data-start=”44″ data-end=”78″>thoughtfully and intentionally, not as a default activity or babysitter. Young children learn most effectively through <strong data-start=”167″ data-end=”231″>hands-on play, social interaction, and real-life experiences, which screens can’t fully replace.That said, screens <em data-start=”288″ data-end=”293″>can have a limited role when used appropriately.
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Great points, Alma! I agree that intentional screen time should complement, not replace, active learning and social interactions.
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Shanthini Saravanan
MemberFebruary 23, 2026 at 2:54 amAs an assistant home day care teacher, here’s my take:Less is more. Young children learn best through hands-on play, not screens. They need to touch, move, and talk with real people.Follow the guidelines. For kids under 2, no screen time at all. For older ones, very limited—maybe 30 minutes a week, and only educational content.Make it interactive. If we do use a screen, we watch together and talk about it. “What color is that bird?” “Can you hop like that bunny?”Offer better options. Playdough, blocks, books, and outdoor time beat screens every time. Kids don’t miss what they never had.
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Great insights, Shanthini! Emphasizing hands-on play and interaction truly supports children’s development. Your guidelines are very effective!
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kianna cooper
MemberMarch 2, 2026 at 5:32 pmI feel like screen time for children isn’t bad as long as its educational.
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Great point, Kianna! Educational screen time can enhance learning when balanced with other activities.
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