Less Screen, More Spark: Helping Kids Shine in a Techy World
Some days you high-five yourself just for getting everyone out the door with matching shoes and full bellies. And let’s be honest, when the living room is one “Mommy, look at this!” away from chaos, the magical glow of a screen can feel like a parenting lifeline. We've all been there.
But here’s the thing: while screens can be helpful tools, especially when you just need five minutes to microwave your coffee, again, they’re not always the best pals for our little ones’ growing brains.
In a recent podcast, Dr. Kathy Koch shared insights from a Drexel University study, and it gave us something to chew on. The study links too much screen time in toddlers with sensory challenges like low registration, when kids seem “checked out”. Sensory seeking, those "can’t sit still" moments, and behavioral hurdles that can affect how kids connect and learn all increase with more screen time.
It might be time for us to reimagine what childhood looks like—not with a glowing screen always in sight, but with cardboard castles in the living room, sidewalk chalk masterpieces outside, and “remember when” moments that don’t need to be posted to be precious.
Screens Don't Teach Like You Do
The truth is, your child learns best from you. Not from a cartoon explaining colors. Not from an app that counts to ten. But from you—playing peekaboo, stacking blocks, reading that same book for the 57th time. Why? Because connection cements learning. And screens just can’t make eye contact.
Ever notice how your child lights up when you praise them? That’s not just cute—it’s brain magic in motion. Emotional connection wraps learning in a cozy blanket of safety, which boosts memory and curiosity.
So let’s put our energy not into perfection, but into presence.
Technology Isn’t the Enemy… But It’s Not the Hero Either
We’re not throwing iPads out the window. Screens aren’t evil—they’re just tools. And like all tools, they work best with adult supervision, intentional use, and some solid off-switch boundaries.
It’s not about never using screens. It’s about balancing screen time with life's real, rich, unpredictable beauty. A life where kids get bored, get creative, and get muddy.
Three Simple Steps to Start Limiting Screen Time:
Name it to tame it. Talk to your kids about screens. Use simple language: “We’re going to use our tablet less so we can play more and grow our brains big and strong!”
Replace the habit. Swap out screen time with an activity your child enjoys—building blocks, puzzles, jumping on couch cushions.
Join the fun. Make it easier on yourself by engaging with your kids for 10 minutes. It fills their connection bucket, making them less likely to beg for a screen in the first place.
Connecting with Your Child Through the 8 Great Smarts
Dr. Kathy Koch’s “8 Great Smarts” give us beautiful ways to engage each child based on how they’re wired:
Word Smart: Read a book together, or make up a story about your day. Let them “write” their own tale and act it out!
Logic Smart: Ask why clouds float, or how a bird flies. Puzzles and cause-and-effect games go a long way.
Picture Smart: Grab crayons and ask them to draw their favorite moment from the day.
Music Smart: Sing songs while cleaning or play rhythm games with pots and spoons.
Body Smart: Make obstacle courses in the backyard or race to clean up toys. Wiggles welcome!
Nature Smart: Go on a walk and count the squirrels. Let them dig, plant, and play in the dirt. (Wipes are a thing, friends.)
People Smart: Set up a playdate, or have a tea party with their stuffed animals and you as the guest of honor.
Self Smart: Give them quiet time with coloring or building something on their own, then ask them to explain it to you.
Remember: Parenting in a screen-filled world isn’t easy, but here’s the good news: your kids don’t need perfect parents—they need present ones. And even 10 minutes of real play today plants seeds that will bloom in the days to come.
So close the tablet, grab a cape (or a spatula), and jump into their world. It’s wilder, messier, and way more fun than anything on Netflix.