Choosing trusted, high-quality content and talking about it helps kids get more from screen time.
Sometimes screen time is a lifesaver – a chance for parents to finish a chore, make dinner or take a work call. With a little intention, it can also become a learning opportunity.
The time kids spend watching television or playing games can spark curiosity, creativity and conversation, especially when kids are consuming high-quality, trusted content from PBS KIDS.
Co-viewing or co-playing – watching, playing and asking questions together – is ideal, but that’s not always possible in busy families. When that’s the case, kids can still learn from media if adults do two simple things:
- Choose high-quality shows and games.
- Make time to talk about the content.
Experts say that when adults engage with the media children use, learning improves. Even short conversations like “What happened first?” or “How did that character solve a problem?” can help kids practice storytelling, empathy and critical thinking.