June 3, 2025

Parent-tested ways to reduce your child’s screen time

Digital screens are inescapable now. Though some parents may lament it, smartphones and tablets are just part of daily life for everyone now – including little ones. 

Besides, it’s not all bad. Screens can now be tools for both entertainment and learning. That being said, excessive use of them can still have negative effects on your child’s development.

The trick is to ensure balanced usage. If you’re struggling specifically with that, this guide can help. 

Our expert educators have put together a list of the tips that have yielded the best results for both them and parents. Try these to reduce screen time to healthy levels in your child.

Understand current screen habits

Before you make any change to your child’s screen time, take stock of the current situation. How much screen time does your child have each day now? What triggers it?

For example, is your child most likely to indulge in screen time during meal times? When you’re busy doing chores? Or when bored?

Your goal is to try and identify patterns in your child’s screen usage. This can help you find and address the root causes of screen indulgence.

Set clear and consistent limits

Once you’ve identified how much screen time your child is getting, you can set a limit for how much he or she should actually get. 

You can base this on your own preferences, but you can also use expert guidelines. For example, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has screen use guidelines you can try. 

To simplify the guidelines in that advisory, you can follow these notes:

• For children under 18 months old – No screen use unless it’s for interactive video chatting. The MOH does not even advise turning on the TV in the background.
• For children 18 months to 6 years old – Use less than 1 hour of screen use per day outside of school. Do not use screens to distract your child or as background noise. Do not use screens during meals or 1 hour before bedtime.

These screen time limits can be paired with other rules. For example, you can require the content they consume to be educational or age-appropriate. Or you can make screen time a social activity they perform with you.

Remember to be consistent in applying the rules too. Children are more likely to resist a rule when they see it being broken repeatedly without consequence. 

Offer engaging screen time alternatives

One of the main reasons children resist screen time limits is that they use screens to amuse themselves. Without them, their minds lack stimulation unless given opportunity.

So, give them opportunities! Offer your child engaging screen time alternatives, from the chance to play a board game with you to a trip outdoors. 

It doesn’t always need to be something involving you either. You can set up a highly accessible arts nook stuffed with materials, for instance, that your child can use anytime. Or you can stock books about things your child finds interesting. 

All of these can serve as learning opportunities too. At My Little Campus, we believe in using screen time purposefully to support learning, not replace it. Educational screen content is thoughtfully incorporated alongside hands-on activities like sensory play and structured group learning.

By balancing digital and real-world experiences, we help children stay curious and engaged while developing a healthy relationship with technology from a young age.

Model less screen time

Modelling behaviour is always one of the best ways to teach it to children. Your child will imitate you if you look like you’re always glued to your screen – so unglue yourself.

Dedicate more time to off-screen activities, especially ones with or around your child. Think about reading, baking together, going on nature walks, and more. 

This will show your child that fun and connection are possible with digital screens… and the two of you will likely grow closer in the process if you do a lot of activities together.

Create predictable routines

When your child’s routine is highly predictable, he or she is less likely to go looking for a screen as filler. That’s why it may help to structure your child’s day in a way that ensures it’s full of off-screen activities and options.

Don’t forget to account for rest times too, though. Little ones need it to grow!

Use technology with a purpose

As mentioned earlier, you should consider limiting screen time to high-quality and age-appropriate material. This makes screen time purposeful and invests it with value.

This turns technology into a helpful tool instead of a medium for filler activities. You can make screens work for your child’s development – as long as they’re used in moderation. 

A good idea here is to look for videos or apps that focus on your child’s interests. You can even look for ones that will boost their knowledge of topics from school.

Let us help you give your child a richer early education experience

The first time you try the screen-reduction tips above, you’ll very likely struggle. Your child may push back and rules will be broken.

But that’s normal, so don’t worry too much. Reducing screen time doesn’t just happen overnight. 

The key is to start small and stay consistent – until you eventually build lasting habits that will support your child’s development.

My Little Campus can help you here. Our balanced curriculum combines purposeful screen time, hands-on experiences and structured play to support well-rounded learning.

If you want your child to grow up in a preschool where he or she can be nurtured in a way that sustains lifelong growth, consider our approach. Enquire about our programmes today!