How much time should kids spend online?
We recommend limiting the number of hours sitting at a computer or tablet to a minimum. As an alternative, you can provide accompanying materials like printable worksheets, instead of activities on a computer.
We also recommend sharing screen time with your children. Research from The Joan Gantz Cooney Center shows that sharing screen time with your child increases their opportunities to learn.
Should I enroll my child in online classes (tutoring, academic advancement classes, etc.)?
Face-to-face time with a teacher is very valuable. However, depending on the child's age, their attention span might vary. For instance, children under 5 might not be able to stay focused for the same amount of time as a 7-year-old. We recommend that additional work or homework be completed away from the screen if possible.
Children can also continue learning without a teacher. Below we've listed some activities that children can do from home and with minimal guidance:
Age 2-5:
- They can sing and dance.
- They can sort things.
- They can draw a story.
Age 5-8:
- They can read.
- They can build something with blocks or recycled supplies.
- They can write a story about an imaginary world.
Many of these activities help teach kids important skills, such as reading, writing, and critical thinking. They can also encourage children to use their imagination.
How many hours of screen time are recommended?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the following:
- For children ages 2 to 5 years, limit screen use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programs. Parents should co-view media with children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.
- For children ages 6 and older, place consistent limits on the time spent using media, and the types of media. consumed. Make sure screen time does not take the place of adequate sleep, physical activity, and other behaviors essential to health.
You can find more information on the Official APP Website.