This guest post was written by Dr. Danis Copenhaver (MD, FAAP) of Elliston Pediatrics. 

The idea of summer conjures up wonderful images of running around outside, playgrounds with water features, and time with family. But it also conjures up the stress of trying to figure out how to fill the hours and hours the kids used to be in school. Especially when it is hot. Especially when the kids are whining. Especially when all they want - and maybe all you want - is screen time. 

Which makes total sense! The kids want a break, and they deserve one. And you want a break, and you deserve one too! So how can we create an adventure-packed, yet restful, summer without hours and hours of unstructured screen time? My best professional and mom advice is: use screen time as your tool. You are in control!

For babies under 18 months old, we pediatricians do not recommend any screen time (excluding video chatting with family and friends). If you aren’t able to actively play with your child, having them play independently on the floor or safely buckled into a high chair with a few simple toys is best. This independent time teaches them self-regulation and allows them to explore their world on their own terms.  You can talk with them while you are engaging in another activity, which increases their exposure to language; they can see you model healthy behaviors not associated with screen time.

For toddlers, children, and even adolescents, some screen time is acceptable - but structured screen time is ideal. Set clear expectations of the quantity of screen time your child can receive, and when. For instance, you can let your kids know that they will receive 1 hour of screen time (and/or 1 hour of video games) after dinner. Ensure that this schedule is consistent day to day, and use a visual timer so kids can see how much time they have left in their allotted window. 

Plan for some big feelings when it’s time to transition away from the screen. All kids need some time to manage their emotions when they transition to a new activity. This doesn’t mean they are “addicted” to the screen - it’s simply a human emotion to be sad when an activity we enjoy is over. You can validate these feelings and then move on, modeling calm behavior as they self-regulate. 

Remember: when a child or adolescent knows what to expect during the day, and can fully count on those expectations being realized, they feel secure in knowing that they will get what they want. Over time, they often will stop even asking for screen time, because they can expect when they’ll get it. 

Another practical way to build healthy screen habits and make sure screens don’t take over your kids’ summer is to engage in co-viewing with your children, and integrate screen activities with non-screen activities. Plan movie nights with themed snacks. Play their favorite video game with them, and then read a book about the video game to them. Watch a nature program, then take a walk and see if you can find any of the plants and animals you learned about. Maybe even watch a ninja-themed game show and then create an obstacle course at the local playground! 

Modeling how screens can be integrated alongside the regular world teaches kids to balance the two, and not become overly engaged with one over the other. Let’s face it: screen time is part of our modern world, and our children will have more exposure to it than we did. We can teach them how to enjoy screens without disengaging from their family, friends, and all the fun summer has to offer. 

All of this structure around screen time ensures that your children have time available for adequate sleep (8-12 hours per day, depending on age) and physical activity (at least 1 hour per day). Their time is also freed up to cultivate other hobbies or interests - sometimes it takes being a little bored to encourage creativity! Making paper, crayons, shoeboxes, scissors and other basic materials readily available enables this spontaneous creativity. You can also leave age-appropriate books available around the house to make it easier for kiddos to read casually.

Parents know that this is all easier said than done. However, research, personal experience, and professional experience have taught me that it is completely possible to have a balance of screen time and non-screen time with minimal meltdowns.

At Elliston Pediatrics, or with your local pediatrician, we can work with you to create your family’s specific media plan. These plans center around the 5 C’s put forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics (see their website healthychildren.org):

• Who is your Child? How does your child react to media and what are their motivations for using it?
• Content? What is worth their attention? What are your values as a family?
• Calm? How does your child manage emotions or fall asleep?
• Crowding out?  What does screen time get in the way of?
• Communication? How will you raise media savvy and competent children?

We will work with you to discuss your goals for your family, help you settle on the structure to achieve them, and achieve a happy, healthy, and fun-filled summer!