Strategies for parents on navigating digital media for preschoolers: Expert suggestions
Digital Media and Toddlers: Navigating the Screen Time Dilemma
A Parent's Guide - 1806_TM_ParentTalks_ReadingStart.pdf
Digital Media For Young ‘uns: 4 Hacks for Parents of Toddlers
Can't figure out how much screen time your tot should have? Fret no more! Sara Dencescu, a language education pro, and the Reading Foundation have got your back. Together, they've shared four golden tips on navigating digital media for your toddlers, from age one to three. Get the full scoop and more toddler-friendly reading tips here: Instagram Live Streams
June 18, 2025 – Mainz
Digital gadgets like smartphones, smart TVs, and tablets are no strangers to adults' lives. As children inevitably pick up on them, a question creeps up: How much screen time is appropriate for my kid? In 2024, the Reading Monitor found that nearly 43% of parents have dabbled in apps for their lil' ones. Most popular uses include play, independent learning, and bedtime stories.
Empowering their little minds
Toddlers are at an exciting growth phase around age two. They're developing new vocabulary, grasping functional knowledge, and learning to consider others' perspectives. They're also beginning to understand the dual nature of images, realizing that although Granny might appear on the screen, she doesn't live in the phone. This is an early step toward media literacy that attentive parents can nurture. Sara Dencescu, a language education specialist, highlights four essential tactics for parents in the digital media-filled nursery.
Tip 1: Assess your own media habits
Your screen time habits set the precedent for your little ones. Start by understanding what media occupy your home, both actively and passively. For example, is the TV always on in the background, or does the phone sometimes remain ignored? Keeping a media diary is a useful way to gain insight into your own usage patterns.
Tip 2: Don't Go Solo on Screen Time
Even at two years old, toddlers have individual media preferences, but they might not yet fully comprehend the content. Utilize shared media moments to foster bonding experiences and help your child understand the content and learn new things. Try avoiding using the tablet as a babysitter and instead making it a conversation starter about the content onscreen.
Tip 3: Manage Media Time and Content
Experts recommend limiting screen time for children under five to 30 minutes daily. Make sure to adjust screen time limits based on your child's age, choose bite-sized episodes, and only select age-appropriate content. This helps establish structure and avoid arguments about screen time.
Tip 4: The Mix is Key
Apps and digital media can provide valuable educational content as part of a child's media literacy journey. Despite their benefits, it's crucial to offer alternative options, like reading aloud routines, which foster various skills and prioritize parent-child interaction. Remember: don't compare screen time with other activities or use screen time as a reward.
Catch Up on Parent Consultations
The Lesestart parent consultations are an Instagram live format, covering topics like emotions, bedtime rituals, and trust and safety. You can watch these sessions even without an Instagram account. New consultations are on the horizon for winter: Instagram Live Streams
For book and media suggestions based on the workshops’ recommendations, check out: Instagram Live Streams' Book Lists
About the Lesestart 1-2-3 Project
Those free books you receive at U6 and U7 pediatric check-ups in German libraries and practices are a powerful tool helping families bridge the gap between early childhood education and long-term academic success. Evidence from the 2023 Reading Monitor, a representative study of parent reading habits, shows that providing books boosts reading aloud in families. More details on Lesestart locations and registration options are available on their website: www.lesestart.de
- The digital lifestyle has extended to children's lives as well, with apps becoming popular for play, independent learning, and bedtime stories among parents.
- Understanding a toddler's lifestyle requires an assessment of their exposure to digital media, which can help parents establish guidelines for screen time.
- Fashion-and-beauty and shopping apps might not be suitable for toddlers, but educational apps can aid in their learning and skills training.
- Food-and-drink apps could potentially introduce young children to new recipes or teach them about nutrition, sparking an interest in culinary exploration.
- Home-and-garden apps could encourage pets-related learning, helping toddlers understand responsibilities and care involved in pet ownership.
- Relationships, career-development, and job-search apps may not be appropriate for toddlers, but these subjects can be introduced later during their personal-growth phase.
- Travel apps might be helpful for families planning a trip, providing age-appropriate information about various destinations.
- Education-and-self-development apps can offer interactive learning experiences, contributing to a toddler's cognitive development and preparing them for future academic success.
