Most parents struggle with this question at some point in their child’s life. On one hand there are quality shows and movies that children enjoy. On the other hand there are fears that too much screen time will make our children anti-social and stifle creativity. Finding the appropriate balance for your family can be a challenge. Here are a few things to think about to help you find what works for you and your kids.

What are they watching?

Pay attention to what your children are watching and watch with them whenever possible. Ask questions about what they liked and why. Discussing the show with your child can help them to understand the story better and develop their narrative skills. It also gives parents an opportunity to comment on the behaviours of the characters on the screen.

Set limits

The amount of time that each family spends with media will vary, but establishing limits can help your child use media responsibly. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children older than two years old use screen media for less than two hours per day. Children will be more selective about what they watch when their time is limited. Discuss time limits with your kids and provide a warning when their time is almost up. Using an egg-timer or a stopwatch can be a great way to help kids learn about time limits.

Take a look at your own media habits. Do you channel surf haphazardly or do you watch a program then turn it off? Are you always ‘connected’? Children learn from those around them, especially their parents. Developing good media habits is a great way to help children use media wisely.

Offer media alternatives

Balance your child’s media time with other activities. Visiting the library or museum, playing sports, or taking music lessons are just a few activities that will give your child the opportunity to play, learn, and explore the world around them.