Be kind. Encourage compassion. Inspire creativity. Nurture courage. Grow your mind.
When it comes to toddler screen time, the struggle is real. Shoving a screen in front of toddlers to keep them calm and occupied is oh so tempting–we get it. But, have you thought about how this short-term solution may backfire in the long run?
Recent reports link excess screen time to negative effects on toddler’s emotional development and higher rates of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Similarly, the Mayo Clinic reports that too much screen time can cause obesity, irregular sleep, behavioral problems, impaired academic performance, less time for creative play, and even violence. Yikes!
Like many things, screen time is all about balance, and it can still be used (in moderation). The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages media use by children younger than 2 and recommends limiting older children's screen time to no more than one or two hours a day.
Are you ready to take steps to reduce your toddler’s screen time? Here are a few tips:
While it’s hard to resist the urge to mindlessly scroll or answer one last email at the dinner table, it’s important to serve as positive examples of screen time for our kids. If we aren’t sticking to these habits, how can we expect our kids to do the same? Perfection is not required, but remaining cognizant of your own device habits will help keep the entire family’s screen time in check!
One of the best ways to reduce screen time is to set clear guidelines for screen time. Instead of using screen time reactively, establish a predictable time each day for your toddler to watch a show or play a game. This will give everyone (you included) a clearer understanding of when it’s time to turn the device off. Plus, when the toddler learns what to expect, you reduce the chances of a meltdown or power struggle. Start small and attainable, and work up to a stricter schedule. A great beginner’s tip is to start by cutting your children’s screen time in half.
There are so many entertaining activities that toddlers can enjoy instead of spending time in front of a screen. For example, swap the screen for crayons and coloring pages. Coloring not only keeps toddlers occupied with minimal supplies, but also inspires their creativity and develops their ability to focus. On our Let’s Play page, you can find downloadable coloring pages, mazes, word games and more!
Making screen time a family activity is a great way to show toddlers how to create a balance between technology and interacting with others. Plus, you can control what is watched and for how long! While you watch, you can even talk about what you see. This creates opportunities to discuss different emotions the characters express and other lessons evident in the plot of the show or movie.
Listening to audiobooks while driving is a great alternative to screen time that will still keep toddlers entertained. While you’re busy driving, your toddler can listen to his/her favorite stories rather than watching a screen. Looking for a first audiobook to kickstart your child’s collection? Guion The Lion is available on Audible via our website.
Outdoor play gives kids opportunities to explore and play while also improving their physical health, social skills, verbal skills and critical thinking abilities. Get outside with your kids at least once a day and enjoy something as simple as a walk around the neighborhood. Need some outdoor activity inspiration? Visit our Let’s Play page.
We hope these tips and tricks to reduce your toddlers’ screen time will help them find a healthy balance between screen time and other activities. For more kid-friendly activities and parenting tips, follow Curious B.E.I.N.G.s on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to the Curious B.E.I.N.G.s newsletter.
Mindsets shape how kids perceive themselves and the world around them. Whether they have a growth mindset or a fixed mindset can influence how they think, feel and behave and can have a pivotal role in their successes (and failures).
At Curious B.E.I.N.G.s, we believe it’s important to train kids to believe their mind can grow when they make an effort to learn. How can we encourage kids to grow their minds? One simple and fun way is to share inspirational quotes that may impact their perspective.
Download, print and cut out these quote cards to place in your kids' backpacks to send them to school with an encouraging thought!
Did you know that children begin judging others based on physical appearances and differences as young as 3 years old? Raising my firstborn son, who happens to have Down syndrome, has opened my eyes to not only how quick we can be to judge others based on their differences, but also to the beauty that comes from embracing these differences.
When my husband, Mac, and I found out we were pregnant, we were thrilled. Ecstatic, really. Like most expecting parents, we began dreaming of who our child would become. We love a good surprise, so we decided to wait to find out our baby’s gender until he/she arrived. We read parenting books, decorated the nursery, and waited anxiously for their arrival. Then, the day finally came!
About an hour after he was born, Mac shared the news that our newborn baby had Down syndrome. I’ll be honest -- it was a hard moment. I cried. Our emotions were all over the place. There had been so much excitement, but fear and grief crept in as we digested the doctor’s diagnosis. Delighted to have our healthy son in our arms, but worried about the unknown.
In the first year of Guion’s life, we frequently met with parents and their children with Down syndrome. We wanted to grasp what Down syndrome was going to mean to us. We eventually came to the realization that Guion and other children with Down syndrome weren’t so different after all. Children with Down syndrome have interests, talents, dreams, and a full spectrum of emotions, just like everyone else.
Little did we know how Guion would grow up to exceed our expectations and brighten our world in every way. We keep our expectations for Guion high because we know what he is capable of if he is given an opportunity. An opportunity to succeed and yes, at times, fail, just like everyone else does along their life journey.
BUT, I noticed then, and still witness now, that Guion is looked at differently. People see him and immediately see Down syndrome. He has so much more to offer if you give him the chance. Guion is easygoing and has a sense of adventure. He’s shy and incredibly funny. He loves music and singing. He’s caring and especially perceptive of the emotions of those he loves. Guion is a person with Down syndrome -- not a Down syndrome person.
Because our world is not black and white, there are so many ways to view it. Guion sometimes has a more creative view of the world. One time, for instance, when he was enjoying a slice of a rainbow cake, he paused and pointed at the cake, “Hey mom, I see pride rock from Lion King!” How enlightening it is to see something from someone else’s perspective! It’s Guion moments like these that inspired me to write the children’s book Guion The Lion.
The reality is -- we’re all different. We look different, we have different personalities, we like different foods, we enjoy different activities, and we see the world around us differently. Similarities may bring us together, but it’s our differences that make this world a beautiful and colorful place. I do not want any of my children to miss out on this beauty!
Guion the Lion is about an imaginative little lion who sees things differently from his friends.
Using colorful illustrations and charming animal characters, the story shows that new perspectives can open the door to unexpected fun. My vision is for this book to present a message of empathy, curiosity, and adventure before children begin making their own judgments and assumptions. My hope is that it encourages children, and parents alike, to embrace others’ differences and perspectives.
