Parent Hub: 0-2 Years

There is no doubt that parenting can be very demanding. Keeping a young child entertained can wear out even the most patient and hands-on parents. To keep the little one entertained, many parents use digital devices with screens such as the television, tablets and mobile phones so that parents can have a much-needed break.

While pre-schoolers and older kids can have some screen time, it’s not advisable for babies and toddlers under the age of 18 months.

Handy Guide to Screen Use

Guidelines on Screen Time

Source: Guidance on Screen Use in Children, Ministry of Health, Singapore. 2023

Children under 18 months old should not have any passive viewing screen time

0-18 months

Children under 18 months old should not have any screen time as the early years are a critical window for children's cognitive development.

Children between 18 and 36 months should have no more than 1 hour of passive viewing screen time each day.

18-36 months

Children between 18 and 36 months old, suggest limiting total screen use to less than one hour a day.

Why is screen time not recommended for children under 18 months old?

4 Reasons Why Screen Time is Not Recommended for Children Under 18 months old

#1: Babies learn the most from human interaction Brain regions are developing rapidly during this age and young children at this age learn best from real-world experiences such as through physical play, reading and social interactions with family members. Screen time (including having the TV played in the background) reduces the time spent on these meaningful interactions which are important for developing language and social skills.

Brain regions are developing rapidly during this age and young children at this age learn best from real-world experiences

4 Reasons Why Screen Time is Not Recommended for Children Under 18 months old

#2: Screen time at this young age can cause developmental delays Having too much screen time at a young age can lead to developmental and behavioural concerns such as language delay. Too much screen time is also associated with inattention problems (lack of attention or reduced attention span) in young pre-schoolers¹.

¹Tamana SK, Ezeugwu V, Chikuma J, et al. Screen-time is associated with inattention problems in preschoolers: Results from the CHILD birth cohort study. PLoS One. 2019;14(4):e0213995. Published 2019 Apr 17. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0213995.

Having too much screen time at a young age can lead to developmental and behavioural concerns

4 Reasons Why Screen Time is Not Recommended for Children Under 18 months old

#3: You might find it hard to deny them screen time later on Young children need time to daydream and learn to entertain themselves. These activities improve their creativity. If young children are constantly being stimulated by screens, they might easily get frustrated when denied screen time or their favourite channels.

If young children are constantly being stimulated by screens, they might easily get frustrated when denied screen time

4 Reasons Why Screen Time is Not Recommended for Children Under 18 months old

#4: Screen time impacts physical health Adequate sleep and physical activity play a critical role in children’s health and development. Screen time might take away time from physically activities. You want your baby to be practising tummy time or honing their motor skills by sitting, crawling, standing, walking. Plus, screen time before bedtime is associated with shorter duration and poorer quality sleep in infants and toddlers.

Screen time might take away time from physical activities

What is screen time and passive viewing?

Screen time is the time spent on screens, e.g. using computers, tablets, smartphones, or watching TV or video or hand-held computer games.

Passive viewing refers to screen viewing without adult co-viewing and interaction.

When can I introduce screen time to my child?

Give your child opportunities for free movement and floor play to develop motor skills

With the large variety of educational programmes, parents might feel pressured to introduce digital devices early. But rest assured, unstructured play (free play) is more valuable for a young child's developing brain than is electronic media. Give your child opportunities for free movement and floor play to develop motor skills such as grasp, suck, search, startle, step, crawl. Your child will learn far more when interacting or reading a book with you than they will from passively watching videos.

you can consider watching educational programmes together and use this time to interact with your child.

Holding off on screen time means avoiding negotiations and meltdowns over it

After the age of 18 months, you can consider watching educational programmes together and use this time to interact with your child. Do limit this activity to less than 1 hour a day if your child is between 18 months and 3 years old. As your child gets older, adjust the amount of screen time based on his schooling requirements and individual learning needs.

Holding off on screen time means avoiding negotiations and meltdowns over it. If your child never gets to play on your phone, you won't have to worry about tantrums and power struggles over it.

Tips for Daddy and Mummy

5 tips to delay and reduce screen time at home

Do not give your child your phone or tablet to play with

offer them their favourite toy or point to a moving object to practise grasping.

There is no doubt that parenting can be very demanding and can wear out even the most patient and hands-on parents. Most babies and toddlers will be contented to play with toys or books. It might be tempting to let them play with your phone or tablet to keep them entertained, however it’s best to delay introducing digital devices to them at an early age.

Most babies and toddlers will be contented to play with toys or books.

If they kick up a fuss, distract them by offering them something else as a substitute. For example, offer them their favourite toy or point to a moving object to practise grasping.

You can also change the environment by bringing them to a different room or outside for a quick walk.

Turn off the background TV

Background TV limits the amount and quality of attention we give to young children which can lead to a delay in language development. If you need some entertainment, put on music or an audio book instead.

Limit your own phone use

You are the most important person in your child’s life so they will model your behaviour. If they see you looking at screens often and daily, they’ll conclude that the behaviour is acceptable and will want to do the same.

Establish ‘screen-free’ zones

Remind family members not to use mobile devices during mealtimes

Screen-free zones at home like the dining table and your child’s bedroom help to consciously remind family members not to use mobile devices during mealtimes and while preparing your child for bed.

Set rules and stick to them

Set rules on when and where can devices be used at home. For example, you can set a rule to put away devices during meal times and at least 1 hour before bed.

Fun, home activities without screens

Sensory play

There are many things you can do that does not involve a screen. For example, go on a play date, a long walk or try craft activities. Here are some ideas that you can try at home with your child:

Shake and Rattle

Fill bottles with rice or pasta and them into make fun, colourful rattles your baby will love!

Make a Rattle

Mess-free painting

Littles ones love to paint, daddy and mommy hate the mess. Here’s a solution you’ll love!

Make a Mess-Free
Paint Kit

Colouring Vegetables

Have some colouring fun with your toddler through these exercises.

Colouring Vegetables

Build a Playhouse

Work with your little ones to keep them entertained with this DIY playhouse.

Build a Playhouse

Trace and Colour

Ready some colour pencils and let your toddler trace and colour them in!

Trace and Colour

DIY Playdoh

Make some home-made playdough with your toddler for hours of activity fun!

DIY Playdoh

Colour the Pattern

Guide your child to the Snowman by colouring the pattern on his scarf.

Colour the Pattern

Scooping Soft Toys

All you need is a bowl of miniature soft toys and containers of various sizes.

Scooping Soft Toys
into Containers

Matching Fruits

Guide your little one to find their favourite fruits and match their way through!

Matching Fruits

Stepping on
Bubble Wrap

Lay it on the floor and have your little one run, stomp, and hop across it.

Stepping on
Bubble Wrap

Colouring with
Different Materials

Let your little one choose their favourite stationery and colour away!

Colouring with
Different Materials

Playing with
Jumbo Blocks

Jumbo blocks are plenty of fun so let your child build it from their imagination!

Playing with
Jumbo Blocks

Download all
screen-free activities

Mirror Play

Learn and grow through mirror play

Babies like gazing at themselves in the mirror and playing in front of the mirror can be fun and fascinating for the child.

It offers a way to nurture your child’s development of self-awareness, which is a key part of their overall social-emotional development. Try playing peekaboo, teach your baby to clap the hands in front of the mirror. Try making funny faces and sing with motion.

Independent Play

Explore ways to promote independent play

Independent play is when your child plays on his own without parents interfering. During independent play, your child can explore and experiment and develop their creativity.

Make a Music Tray Make a Ball Bin Create Magnet Boards

3 ways to keep screens away outside the home

If you send your child to infant care, check with the school on their policy about screen time for children below 18 months old and ask if they control screen time.

If someone babysits your child while you are away, be sure that they know and follow your family's rules about screens.

Pack fun alternatives for outing. Bring a ‘fun bag’ of small toys, healthy snacks, stickers and books so when your child gets impatient, you have other tools besides your phone or tablet to come to the rescue.

Do what works for your family!

Mindfulness and moderation are key. Be aware of how much time your child is logging with a screen and make sure much of that is spent with you. A toddler’s mind is impressionable, and they can adapt to the direction you put them in. Dedicate most of your child's day to screen-free time such as free play, social interactions, drawing, puzzles, books and toys.

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