Digital screens are now a normal part of family life. The early years are, however, critical for development – 90% of a child’s brain development occurs by age 5, making it a critical period for the development of social, emotional and cognitive skills.

On Friday 27 March, the government published new, evidence-informed guidance to help parents and carers of children under 5 navigate screen time.

• Some of the key recommendations for parents include:
• Avoid screen time for under 2s and for 2-5 years, try to keep it to no more than an hour a day.
• Choose slow-paced, predictable content as this 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.
• Avoid young children using screens alone as it reduces opportunities for social time and active play.  Try watching and discussing content together with your child as it supports their development and helps you protect them from harmful content.
• Swap out screens at bedtime or mealtimes for reading stories or playing simple games.
• Children copy everything you do – their brains are like sponges. Be mindful of how often you use screens around your child.

You can find out more on the Best Start for Life website…
You can read the full report on the GOV.UK website…