Watch screens together
Babies and toddlers learn best when they play, talk and enjoy everyday moments with the people who care about them. Screens can be part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle – especially when you watch or use them together with your child and talk about what you see and hear, enjoying close time together. What matters most is that screen time doesn’t replace real-life play, conversation, movement and connection.
The resources on this page include ideas for how you can engage your child while watching screens together, as well as tips to help you to understand how to create balance when screens are a part of everyday life.
Watch real-life examples
Watch screens together
This short clip shows two examples of parents and their children watching screens. In the first example, mum watches TV with Holly and Nina sitting close. Mum talks to the children about what they are watching. In the second example, mum involves Olive in choosing a show on the iPad, and together they do the actions for the song they are watching.
Tips and resources
Screen time and digital technology use: babies and children
It’s best for children under 2 years to have no screen time other than video-chatting.
Screen time and digital technology use for children 2–5 years: tips for balance
Family rules can help balance screen time and other activities for preschoolers.