What policy do you have in place for early learners and screen time?

This September The Department for Education published guidance for Under 5s screen time use in education settings. The guidance has alot of information defining screen use, useful references to brain development research in early learners and tips for how to select and use screen technology.

Here are some headlines from the publication:

Limit total screen time for young children, wherever possible.

• Under 2 years: Avoid screen time other than for shared activities with family that encourage bonding, interaction and conversation.
• 2-5 years: Try to keep it to 1 hour a day. Less if possible.
• Note that for some children this limit may have been exceeded at home before starting school for the day, or be added to after school.

Young children’s brains are stimulated much more easily than adults’, so they need content specifically made for them.

• Slow-paced content: Slow-paced, predictable content is better for young brains. Fast-paced, over-stimulating social media-style videos may affect how young children learn to concentrate, so it’s best to avoid them.
• Choose safe content: Use parental controls to block inappropriate, harmful content.
• Avoid social media: Social media isn’t made for young brains, so it should be avoided.
• Avoid AI: Don’t let young children use AI toys, tools or chatbots until there’s more evidence on how they affect your child. This includes devices or apps such as interactive robots, smart speakers or AI chat apps.

It is advised that device use should be supervised by an adult, be rich in communication and tools to monitor use (use as Classroom) add to the supervision.

• avoid using screens for routine management or to calm children, as this impacts on children’s ability to learn to self-regulate - screens should also not be used to occupy children (including during periods of transition throughout the day) or manage their behaviour

There is also an emphasis on SEND learners and the importance of technology use for communication needs. I also value the reflection points that screen use needs to enhance or extend learning and have a clear learning intention. This very much relates to my teaching experience and publications that I have made as an Apple Distinguished Educator over my 16 year career in early learning and I welcome this reflection in the publication.

You can read more here:

Best Start in Life Baby and toddler screen time guidance - Best Start in Life

Department for Education England Help for early years providers : Screen use

Whilst this guidance is rich in information, educators need to make decisions on how best to use screen technology in early learning environments. Setting time restrictions and having a measurable use is one way to control screen time but enforcing and tracking this is not always managable between home and school.

What guidance and policy does your school, setting or governing body have in place for early learning and screen time?