01/20/2026
𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀: 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲
Screens are everywhere. A few clear habits can help protect your child’s sleep, development, and family time.
𝗕𝘆 𝗮𝗴𝗲
Under 18 months:
-Minimize or avoid screen media as much as possible (except video chatting).
Preschool age and up:
Appropriate, but with limits. Preschoolers shouldn't exceed 15-20 minutes a day, and even on school holidays and breaks, limits for teenagers should be capped at less than 2 hours, ideally broken up into blocks of no more than a half hour at a time. For kids in school, "academic screen time" is considered separately, and on school days, it's important to limit "leisure screen time" accordingly to allow for adequate hours of sleep and activity (see below).
𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿
-Co view or co play when you can. Watching or playing together helps children learn more and gives you a chance to talk about what they see.
-When you are busy, supervised independent play (blocks, nesting cups, coloring, pretend play) is often more beneficial than screens.
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆
-Sleep: Kids need about 8 to 12 hours, depending on age.
Physical activity: Aim for 1 hour per day.
Time away from media: Build in daily breaks from screens.
𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀
Pick media free times (family dinners).
Set media free zones (bedrooms).
Avoid devices in bedrooms at night, including TVs, computers, and smartphones.
𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗼
Children notice our habits. A family plan helps everyone stay aligned, especially when babysitters or grandparents help with caregiving.
Have questions about screen time, sleep, or your child’s development? Schedule a visit with Cevey Pediatrics today! (210) 826-0311
