Technology has transformed childhood faster than any generation before us. Today’s parents face questions their own parents never encountered: How much screen time is too much? When should I introduce a tablet? Is my child falling behind without early tech exposure?
As Toy Story 5 introduces Bonnie to her first tablet this summer, parents everywhere are facing similar questions about navigating the tech age. At Start Early, we work with families navigating these exact questions every day. What we’ve learned through research and practice is this: context matters more than quantity.
Digital Literacy for Parents
Explore tips and advice to help parents and caregivers guide their children through the digital world from our family engagement expert, Donna Quiroz.
Stay Connected
Sign up to receive news, helpful tools and learn about how you can help our youngest learners.
What the Science Shows
The first five years of a child’s life represent a critical window for brain development. During this period, children benefit most from “serve and return” communication which is the back-and-forth exchanges that happen during conversation, play and daily routines. With screens, it’s one-way. The screen communicates with the child, but there is no return on communication.
This distinction is crucial. Screens offering passive content limit the interactions that build neural pathways for language, problem-solving and emotional regulation. However, when screens are used intentionally with caregiver engagement, they can support learning rather than replace it.
Making Screen Time Work for Your Family
If you’re watching an educational program together and engaging like “Oh, she said ‘dog! ‘ Can you say dog?”, you’re creating that serve-and-return moment. The screen becomes a tool for connection rather than a replacement for it. This transforms passive viewing into an interactive learning experience.
Research from the Parents as Teachers curriculum, which Donna uses in her work at Educare Chicago, a program of Start Early, recommends limiting screen time for children under 18 months. The emphasis, however, is on what happens alongside the screen. Parent-child interaction remains the most powerful learning tool during early childhood.
Building Screen-Free Skills at Home
When you need time to prepare dinner or handle work tasks, effective alternatives exist using materials already in your home. Sensory bins filled with dry rice and measuring cups engage tactile exploration. Block building develops spatial reasoning and problem-solving. Involving children in simple tasks like sorting socks by color teaches categorization and focus.
These activities do more than occupy time—they build executive function skills including patience, delayed gratification and independent problem-solving.
When children aren't in front of a screen, their brain has the opportunity to be curious and explore
Donna Quiroz, Family Engagement Supervisor, Educare Chicago
Understanding Developmental Expectations
Young children have naturally short attention spans. A 2-year-old focusing on blocks for five minutes demonstrates developmentally appropriate behavior. Starting with realistic time frames like five to 10 minutes rather than 30 sets both parent and child up for success.
“Think about how important those first five years are and what you want your child to learn during this time,” Donna emphasizes. “That will make a huge difference in how you approach screen time.”
Balance looks different for every family. What remains constant is the need for consistent opportunities for exploration, conversation and connection. Start Early provides families with research-backed strategies and practical tools to navigate digital literacy in ways that support early learning and healthy development.
About the Author
Donna Quiroz
Family Engagement Supervisor
Donna Quiroz, LCSW, is a family engagement supervisor, specializing in perinatal mental health, infant and early childhood mental health and trauma-informed care for children & families.
More Like This
Take Action
Raise your voice and encourage lawmakers to prioritize early learning and care at the local, state and federal level.
Support Our Work
Together, when we start early, we can close the opportunity gap and ensure every child has a chance to reach their full potential.
Resources for Families
Discover educational activities and resources from Start Early experts to provide easy and engaging educational experiences with your child.
