As tempting as it may be to give your child a tablet or phone to get a few minutes of peace, you will thank yourself in the long run if you resist. Don't worry, I will give you some alternatives to help you still have those few minutes.
Exposing children under the age of two to screen time has been linked to several developmental concerns. Research indicates that infants and toddlers learn best through direct human interactions, which are crucial for developing language, social, and cognitive skills.
Developmental Delays
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that increased screen time at age one was associated with developmental delays in communication and problem-solving skills by ages two and four.
Brain Development
Research from Cincinnati Children's Hospital suggests that excessive screen time during infancy may lead to changes in brain activity and problems with executive functioning—abilities related to focus, impulse control, and emotional regulation—in elementary school-aged children.
Expert Recommendations
The World Health Organization recommends no screen time for children under two years old, emphasizing the importance of physical activity and interactive play for healthy development.
Parental Guidance
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that screen time should be very limited for children younger than two years old, suggesting that any media use should involve high-quality programming and active parental participation to enhance learning.
What Can You Do Instead?
Busy books, also known as quiet books, are interactive, hands-on activity books designed to engage young children in play-based learning. These books often feature fabric or laminated pages with various activities like matching shapes, tracing letters, buttoning, zipping, and sorting, which help develop fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and early literacy or math concepts. Ideal for toddlers and preschoolers, busy books provide a screen-free way to keep little ones entertained while fostering creativity and independence. They’re particularly popular for use during travel, quiet time, or when parents need a productive distraction for their children.
Limiting or eliminating screen time for children under two supports optimal development. Engaging infants and toddlers in direct human interactions, physical play, and exploration fosters essential skills that screens cannot provide.
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