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Screen time tips
Simple, realistic ideas for making screen time calmer and more connected.
What the experts suggest
Two widely used guides, side by side. Both agree: less is better for the youngest children, and watching together matters.
| Age | World Health Organization | American Academy of Pediatrics |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1 | No screen time recommended. | Avoid screens other than video calls. |
| 1 year | No sedentary screen time recommended. | From 18 months, if you introduce screens, choose high-quality shows and watch together. |
| 2 to 4 years | No more than 1 hour a day. Less is better. | About 1 hour a day of high-quality programmes, watched together. |
| 5 to 6 years | Guidance focuses on plenty of active play and good sleep. | Set consistent limits and keep screens from replacing sleep and play. |
Sources: WHO, 2019 and AAP, HealthyChildren.org.
Small habits that help
None of these need to be perfect. Pick one that fits your family and start there.
Watch together when you can
Sing along, copy the actions, and talk about what happened. Children learn far more from a song they share with you.
Count songs, not minutes
Toddlers can't read a clock, but they can count. A song limit is easier to understand and easier to stop.
“Three songs, then shoes on.”End on a calm one
Make the last song a slow one. It's much easier to switch off after a lullaby than after a dance party.
Take the song off the screen
Sing it in the bath, on the bus, while tidying up. A song that lives off the screen keeps working all day.
Keep some places screen-free
Meals and bedrooms are good places to start. Those are the moments for talking, eating and sleeping.
Notice how they feel after
If your child seems cranky or wired after watching, try shorter sessions, calmer shows, or a different time of day.
A gentle note
We make children's songs; we're not doctors. Every child is different. If you have questions about your child's development, sleep or screen use, your paediatrician is the best person to ask.