{"id":76022,"date":"2025-10-27T13:21:24","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T21:21:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/?p=76022"},"modified":"2025-10-27T13:21:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T21:21:26","slug":"screen-time-and-education-apps-finding-a-balance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/advice\/screen-time-and-education-apps-finding-a-balance\/76022","title":{"rendered":"Screen Time and Education Apps: Finding a Balance"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Screen Time and Education Apps: Finding a Balance<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Discover simple ways to make screen time safe, smart, and beneficial for your child.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Table of Contents – Jump to Each Section <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Screen Time in Early Childhood<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Much Screen Time is Too Much<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Benefits of Educational Apps for <\/strong>Kids<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Choose Quality Educational Apps<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Co-Viewing and Co-Playing: Why It Matters<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Since the advent of screens, parents have worried about how much time children spend in front of them. According to recent studies, those concerns aren\u2019t always necessary, as research confirms<\/a> that high-quality educational apps can boost early literacy, math, and problem-solving skills. However, when using educational apps for kids, it\u2019s essential to pick the right one<\/a> and find the right screen time balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After analyzing 36 different studies, researchers determined that \u201ceducational apps have a positive overall effect on literacy and math skills for children in preschool to Grade 3.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013Measures Matter: A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Educational Apps on Preschool to Grade 3 Children\u2019s Literacy and Math Skills<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Just like Sesame Street<\/em> and Mr. Rogers\u2019 Neighborhood<\/em> demonstrated that kids could actively engage with screens as they learned academic and social skills, today\u2019s best educational apps offer the same benefits\u2014with the added advantages of true interactivity and personalized feedback. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But how do parents decide what amount of screen time their child should spend on learning apps? Here\u2019s how to choose the right screen activities for your child, demonstrate responsible device behavior, and balance screen use with other activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Understanding Screen Time in Early Childhood<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Screen time is any time spent on a device, including TV, computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and game consoles. Experts break screen time into two categories: active and passive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/td>Active Screen Time<\/strong><\/td>Passive Screen Time<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Characteristics<\/strong><\/td>User is involved and engaged with the device and content <\/td>User passively watches content with minimal or no interaction<\/td><\/tr>
Examples<\/strong><\/td>Completing homework on a laptop; using an educational app on a tablet; video chatting with friends or family; playing strategic or problem-solving video games<\/td>Watching TV shows, movies, or online videos; scrolling through social media; watching someone else play a video game<\/td><\/tr>
Pros<\/strong><\/td>Builds academic and social skills; promotes engagement, focus, and critical thinking; supports creativity<\/td>Can be relaxing and entertaining for short periods<\/td><\/tr>
Cons<\/strong><\/td>Can limit physical activity; benefits depend on quality of content; fast-paced games may cause overstimulation <\/td>Less cognitive engagement; limits physical activity; overuse can cause attention issues and sleep problems<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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How Much Screen Time is Too Much for Toddlers and Preschoolers?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For many years, experts like the World Health Organization (WHO)<\/a> have recommended limiting screen time to no more than an hour a day total, with no screen time at all before the age of two. But some experts are updating their advice in response to changing realities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines<\/a> no longer set strict screen-time limits for most ages. Instead, they recommend focusing on what children are doing on screens rather than how long they spend. For example, an hour of engaging with a research-backed educational app can bring more benefits  than an hour of streaming cartoons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also important to minimize passive screen time and balance all screen time with other healthy activities like going outside, playing with friends, or spending time with family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Finding the Right Screen Time Balance: 10 Tips for Parents<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  1. For toddlers and preschoolers, aim for no more than one hour a day of high-quality, active screen time. This includes learning apps, educational videos, and video chatting with family.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    1. When your child starts school, take into account how much time they spend on screens each day in the classroom or for homework. If they\u2019ve had a screen-heavy day at school, consider limiting their screen use at home.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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      1. Prioritize active screen time over passive watching. Use interactive learning apps, watch videos that encourage kids to sing or dance along, or play online games that build problem-solving skills.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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        1.  Choose educational apps carefully. Look for experiences free from third-party ads and that have clear learning goals and true interactivity that encourages creativity and critical thinking.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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          1. Co-view and co-play with your child. This is especially important for toddlers and preschoolers\u2014watch videos and play games with them, guiding and sharing their experience.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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            1. Integrate lessons from educational apps into offline activities. For example, look for letters and numbers on signs when you\u2019re out for a walk, or practice reading and simple math at the grocery store.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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              1. Monitor your child\u2019s progress on learning apps. Take advantage of reports or tracking features so you can ensure the app is truly benefiting your child.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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                1. Mix screen time with offline learning and indoor\/outdoor play. Try setting a daily schedule for screen use, such as half an hour before lunch and half an hour after dinner. After screen time, help your child transition to other activities, such as playing outside or reading a book together before bed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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                  1. Watch for screen time red flags. If your child throws tantrums when screen time is over, says they\u2019re bored with any non-screen activity, or has trouble focusing or sleeping, they may be spending too much time on screens.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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                    1. Don\u2019t rely on screens for emotional regulation. Teach kids how to recognize and regulate their emotions with mindful breathing or physical activity rather than self-soothing with screens.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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                      Screen Time Red Flags<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                      One of the best ways to find the right screen time balance for your child is by monitoring and responding to their behavior. If you note any of these behaviors in your child, you may want to reevaluate the quantity and quality of their screen time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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