Worried about the amount of time your child spends in front of a screen? You're not alone. More than 74% of U.S. parents experience screen time guilt. We completely understand, and we're here to help you think through what works best for your family.
Our Approach to Screen Time
At Lingokids, we believe every family is different, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to screen time. Rather than prescribing specific limits, we focus on offering high-quality educational content and tools that help you make informed decisions that suit your child's needs and your family routines.
What matters most:
Quality over quantity: We design content that encourages active learning, not passive watching.
Balance: We recommend finding a balance between screen-based and screen-free activities.
Connection: Whenever possible, join your child during screen time. Research from The Joan Ganz Cooney Center shows that co-viewing can enrich the learning experience and create more opportunities for connection.
Finding What Works for Your Family
When deciding what's appropriate for your child, consider:
- Your child's mood and behavior before and after screen use
- The type and quality of content being consumed
- Whether screen time interferes with sleep, play, socialization, or movement
- Your family's daily routines and values
We encourage you to tune into your child's natural rhythms and observe what works best for them.
The Importance of Play
Play is essential to children's development—it fuels imagination, supports emotional well-being, and helps them learn how to solve problems, build confidence, and collaborate with others.
Different types of play—creative, physical, imaginative, or digital—all have value in your child's day.
Screen-Free Learning Ideas
Looking for offline activities? Here are some ideas:
Ages 2-5:
- Sing and dance together
- Sort objects by color, size, or shape
- Draw and tell stories about the pictures
- Build with blocks or everyday items
- Engage in imaginative play
Ages 5-8:
- Read together or independently
- Build something with blocks or recycled supplies
- Write stories about imaginary worlds
- Create music and movement-based games
These activities help teach important skills like reading, writing, and critical thinking while encouraging imagination.
Resources & Further Reading
Feeling guilty about screen time? Read more about the research and our perspective:
Expert guidance on media use and play:
- American Academy of Pediatrics – Media Use Guidelines
- The Genius of Play (Toy Association)
- Harvard Center on the Developing Child – The Science of Play
- Playful Learning Landscapes – Enhancing Everyday Spaces
Ready to Manage Screen Time?
Learn how to set screen time limits in the Lingokids app: How to Set Screen Time Limits
Questions?
If you have questions about screen time or any other aspect of Lingokids, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're always happy to help!