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How Much Screen Time Is Good for Toddlers — and What Should We Show Them?

In today’s world, it’s nearly impossible to avoid screens — smartphones, tablets, TVs, and computers are everywhere. As parents, one of the most common questions we face is: how much screen time is okay for toddlers? And just as important — what type of content should they be watching?

Here’s what experts say and some tips to help guide your toddler’s screen time.

📱 How Much Screen Time Is Recommended?

According to guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):

✅ Under 18 months: Avoid screen time entirely, except for video chatting with family.

✅ 18 to 24 months: If you choose to introduce screens, use high-quality educational content — and always watch with your child to help them understand what they’re seeing.

✅ 2 to 5 years old: Limit screen time to 1 hour per day of high-quality content. Co-view when possible and talk about what they’re watching.

👉 Key point: At this age, toddlers learn best from real-world interactions — face-to-face play, talking, exploring, and reading together should always come first.

🧑‍🏫 What Kind of Content Is Best for Toddlers?

Not all screen time is created equal! The type of content matters more than the amount.

Here’s what to look for:

✅ Educational content
Look for shows, videos, and apps designed to teach:

• Letters and phonics (ABC learning)
• Numbers and counting
• Colors and shapes
• Simple problem-solving skills
• Positive social behavior (sharing, kindness)

✅ Interactive content
Choose videos or apps that encourage singing along, movement, or active participation, rather than passive watching.

✅ Slow-paced, clear visuals
For toddlers, fast-moving and flashy videos can be overstimulating. Choose calm, well-paced content with clear visuals and sound.

✅ Positive role models and messages
Screen content should reinforce good manners, empathy, cooperation, and respect.

🚫 What to Avoid

❌ Content not designed for young children
❌ Fast, overstimulating, or violent content
❌ Passive watching for long periods
❌ Background TV (even when they aren’t actively watching — it can distract from play and learning)

🎵 Great Examples of Toddler-Friendly Content

• ABC learning videos
• Nursery rhymes with actions
• Simple counting songs
• Storytime videos
• Music and movement songs
• Animal videos for learning about nature

👉 At kiddss, we share lots of toddler-friendly videos to encourage learning through play and fun!

🕹 Tips for Healthy Screen Time Habits

✅ Watch with your child → turn it into a shared activity.
✅ Talk about what you’re seeing → help your toddler learn from it.
✅ Balance with active play → toddlers need lots of time to move and explore.
✅ Establish screen-free zones → such as during meals and before bedtime.
✅ Model healthy habits → let them see you enjoying books, play, and conversation too!

Final Thoughts

Screens are part of modern life — and when used wisely, they can be a helpful tool for learning and fun. The key is to keep screen time limited, age-appropriate, and interactive.

Remember: the best teacher for your toddler is you — so the more you engage and play alongside them, whether on-screen or off, the more they’ll learn and thrive.

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out our YouTube channel for lots of fun, safe, and educational videos for kids!
👉 Kiddss

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