There is no doubt that today’s children are growing up in a digital world. Cell phones, tablets, and televisions are easily accessible to people of all ages. Although technology has its benefits, it can also have effects on the quality our relationships. When we are mesmerized by a screen, we can’t engage in meaningful conversations with the people around us. 

Consider some of these ideas to unplug from devices and stay connected as a family.

• Keep mornings and evenings quiet. Start and end your child’s day by giving him or her your full, undivided attention. Children can tell when their parents are distracted, so avoid responding to texts and emails during these transition times.

• Lead by example. Set aside certain times during the day for online activities, whether it is to check email or participate in social media. By setting these limits (and sticking to them!), your child will see that technology is a part of your day but not a backdrop for it.
• Create “screen-free” zones. As a family, choose areas where devices are not welcome. The dinner table and short car rides are wonderful settings to chat about your day or anything else that might come up.

The human brain is very complex, it is designed to take years to grow and mature. This important development occurs mainly through direct interactions and experiences with the world using our primary senses: Seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, and smelling. If these five senses are not being engaged on a regular basis, then we are not learning to the best of our brains’ abilities. Research has shown that an excess amount of screen time can affect a child’s development, including:

• decreased attention span,
• underdeveloped or delayed language abilities,
• compromised critical thinking abilities or creativity skills,
• and decreased motivation for learning.

According to the AAP, the recommendation for daily screen time use is:

• Children under 18 months should have limited access to any screen time besides live video interaction with family and friends. A caregiver should always be nearby to watch, talk and teach the child.
• Children 18 months to 2 years should have limited screen time and avoid solo use. When allowing screen time, choose high quality, educational shows for them and create dialogue around it to ensure they are understanding what they are watching. 
• Children 2 years old to 5 years old should have only an hour a day of limited screen time use, and caregivers should be nearby to make sure that the child understands what they are viewing, and to talk about it. Choose programs that are educational, non-violent and promote social-emotional development.

Screen time can be useful, and it can even be educational, but we also know that there are no substitutes for social interaction, reading or play. These activities are important in the healthy development of social-emotional, intellectual and physical skills. 

Here are a few simple ideas you can do at home to engage your little one outside of the use of screen time:

• Explore:  Baby-proof an entire room and put an assortment of toys and safe household objects in the room to play with.  
• Watch:  Hang a bird feeder outside a window where the child can see the birds and squirrels.
• Listen:  Put music on and encourage your little one to sing and dance along to it. Getting to know classic sing-along songs is great for memorization. 
• Touch:  Toddlers like to dig, scoop, mold, and exercise their emerging fine motor skills.  Provide some play dough or take them outside to dig in some dirt or sand.
• Splash:  Let your child play with a shallow tray of water. Add toys and let them splash around with their hands. (Hint: Lay a towel down first)  
• Look at books:  Read a book or just look at the pictures with your child.  Try to have some books that are unfamiliar so they will hold your child’s attention.  
• Help:  Since toddlers like to be where the action is, let them play alongside you while you work.  Think creatively about how your child can help with a task; give them their own paper and something to draw with while you work or let them play with pots and pans while you cook.

Ideally, we could just sit and play with our little ones all day but that isn’t always possible or realistic. Keep in mind that these are just guidelines, the reality is that some days kids have more screen time than others, and there are some days that they may not have any screen time at all, either way keep in mind that every family is unique and finding a balance that works for your specific household is important. Remember, there is no right or wrong when it comes to what works for your family.