Cutting Back on Your Toddler’s Screen Time

When my son Elliott was born, I rarely turned on the television. I sang songs to him, I read books to him and we played on the floor. But he also took lots of naps.

Then he became a toddler, and I needed to clean my house, and make dinner and read something written for an adult. I integrated the television back into our lives, but I was concerned about how much time he spent in front of the screen.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children under two watch no television and that children two and older watch no more than one to two hours of television a day. Once I started letting Elliott watch television, I realized just how easy it was to exceed that recommendation. Over time, though, I was able to come up with a few strategies for limiting his screen time.

Set Times

Set specific times your child is allowed to watch television and stick to them. Occasionally, Elliott asks for television during playtime, but I am able to remind him, “It’s not time for that. You can watch a television show after your snack time.” This way, he knows he will get to watch television eventually, and he knows when to anticipate it.

Avoid Being Ruled by What’s On

Stick to television shows that are age appropriate for your child to avoid scenes with violence or language that is too mature. The programming on KCPT, for instance, is targeted to young audiences. A DVR allows you to record your children’s favorite shows and view them during the set time. This way, you are not controlled by the programming schedule.

If you don’t have a DVR, our local Mid-Continent and Kansas City libraries carry VCR tapes and DVDs of television shows for young children. Using either the DVR or DVDs from the library also allows you to limit the amount of commercials your child sees.

Making the Most of What They Watch

By watching with your child, you can still use the television time as an opportunity for interaction. Count the trees in the background, talk about the letter of the day on Sesame Street or point out what color of shirt Sid the Science Kid is wearing. Talk about the emotions the characters have and help your child understand the messages the show sends.

Getting Stuff Done

Sometimes, I just need to get stuff done. Before I concentrated on limiting my son’s television viewing, I often used television as a babysitter when I made meals or did housework. But, I can still get stuff done without using the television as a distraction. I use two strategies while cooking or cleaning: getting him involved and keeping toys in each room. This way, Elliott can either help me or play.

In the kitchen, I give him a pan, spoon and a few pieces of pretend food so he can “cook” for me. Elliott’s collection of dinosaur and letter magnets keep him busy playing at the fridge. If he gets bored with his toys in the kitchen, I try to involve him in the cooking. He climbs up on a stool and pours flour into a bowl and “stirs” it for me. Careful to keep him away from knives and the stove, I am still able to make him feel helpful.

I use the same strategies all around the house. For instance, I keep a basket of toys near the laundry room. He can either play with those toys or help me put the wet clothes in the dryer. When I put clean clothes away in our bedroom, he can either hand me the hangers or play with the basket of blocks I keep in my closet.

Carrie Allison is resisting the urge to turn on the television in Independence, MO.