Should Your Baby / Toddler Play on iPads or other Screens?

What do you do when you just have to get something done? You have laundry, dishes, and other chores that sometimes just can’t wait. As the old saying goes, dinner’s not gonna cook itself!

So how do you keep your baby or toddler entertained while you complete the task that can’t wait? It seems that more and more lately parents are allowing their kids to be entertained by screens. Before we had iPhones, iPads, and other portable screens, parents might allow children to watch limited amounts of TV. Portable DVDs were helpful on road trips, but screen time was still somewhat limited.

But now we see parents providing kids of all ages screens in restaurants, in stores, in cars, and in homes as a way to keep kids entertained and quiet.

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association of Pediatrics may cause parents to rethink this strategy. This study included more than 7000 children and found that babies exposed to more screen time at one year of age are likely to demonstrate developmental delays by ages two and four.

According to this study, babies who spent up to four hours a day in front of a screen were three times more likely to have communication and problem-solving delays by age two, and those delays appeared to stay with them as they got older. These children were also more likely to have underdeveloped fine motor, personal, and social skills.

In fact, four-year-olds who used screens often as babies demonstrated developmental delays in communication, gross motor and fine motor, problem solving, and personal and social skills.

Interestingly, the screens in and of themselves don’t seem to be the problem. This study showed that the developmental delays were not caused BY the screens but by the LACK of face-to-face interactions with parents and others.

Babies and toddlers thrive in loving environments full of responsive interactions. In fact, a baby’s health and wellbeing beginning prenatally through his third year have a massive effect on his future learning, behavior, and health.

During those years, a baby makes 700 new neural connection every second! Early experiences determine which connections are reinforced and which are pruned. Positive, growth-promoting experiences – like frequent interaction with people – help babies develop brains that are efficient and capable of handling challenges. But babies who experience neglect or abuse may increase connections related to fear and anger while losing connections related to reasoning, learning, and memory.

As it turns out, a baby’s earliest environments not only shape her developing brain, but they also influence her gene expression and affect the health of her body’s systems. While children are resilient, exposure to chronic stressors - violence, depression, homelessness, hunger - early in life can result in physical, cognitive, and emotional issues that can be costly to both family and society.

That’s why at One by One we help moms access resources they need to avoid potential chronic stresses and encourage moms to participate in activities that will support their babies’ growth and development during this vital stage.

We also provide moms with simple activities they can do at each stage of their children’s development to strengthen the positive connections and help their children develop on target. Quality interactions don’t have to be “fancy.” Talk to your kids. Read to them. Sing to them. Change up your voice. Listen to them even if they’re just babbling. (We’ve all seen the viral video of the dad carrying on a conversation with his toddler who just jabbers back!) Be expressive when you talk. Be instructive by naming items, colors, textures, numbers. Play with your kids. Maintain eye contact with them; remember, it doesn’t help them if you’re on a screen!

So back to our question of what to do when you have to get dinner ready or finish chores that can’t wait. Try to get creative. You can talk to your baby while he’s in a bouncy seat, pack – n – play, swing, or high chair (safely away from cooking surfaces, cleaning agents, etc.) and explain what you’re doing and why. Let him feel the textures as you’re folding laundry. Play peek-a-boo with a towel or blanket. It’s also important to remember babies need some time alone, too, so they can start to learn they’re independent from you. Just make sure he’s in a safe environment, you can see him, and you’re not leaving him too long (as he gets older he can play alone for more than just a few minutes). And if you have to use a screen, use it wisely (consider the content!) and sparingly.

For more information on child development:

At One by One, we provide moms information outlining developmental milestones and the general age range a child will meet each milestone. Of course, some kids do experience developmental delays. If you have concerns about your baby’s development, talk with your child’s pediatrician. Your child’s doctor is qualified to offer a diagnosis and provide specific treatment advice if needed. You should also know that every state has a federally funded intervention system designed to support children from birth to age three with disabilities and/or developmental delays. You can find early intervention contact information by state on the CDC (Center for Disease Control) website here. Qualifying families may receive resources at no cost.

For more information on One by One:

At One by One, we know it can be hard to provide the support a baby needs if you’re stressed about paying the bills, your job, being a single mom, or any other number of things! If you are pregnant or mom to a newborn and would like support in learning how to manage your life while supporting your baby’s growth and development, we would love to help you! Contact us today to apply for a mentor who will walk with you at least until your child turns one, helping you every step of the way.

If you love helping new moms become great moms, consider volunteering with us! Click here to let us know you’re interested, and we will reach out!