No Screens Before 18 Months? Here’s Why It Matters | Mom in the City Podcast

In this episode of Mom in the City Podcast, the hosts take a nuanced look at screen time and early childhood development. While screen time is often portrayed as universally harmful, this discussion acknowledges that not all screen time is bad — especially when it’s intentional and educational. In fact, teachers use screens in classrooms for interactive lessons, and many parents rely on devices for temporary engagement. The key message? It’s not about eliminating screens entirely, but about choosing screen time wisely and understanding when it’s most appropriate.

The conversation highlights a critical guideline: avoid screen time entirely before the age of 18 months. This recommendation is based on growing evidence showing that the first year and a half of a child’s life is a sensitive period for developing core gross and fine motor skills, language, and sensory integration. During this stage, children begin crawling, walking, grabbing objects, self-feeding, and using their hands to explore and build. These are foundational experiences that screens can’t replicate and often interrupt.

The hosts explain how screen exposure too early in life can delay these natural developmental milestones. For instance, instead of using their hands to manipulate real objects and strengthen fine motor skills, babies may passively watch a screen, missing critical opportunities to practice coordination and spatial awareness. Likewise, speech and language development may slow if children spend more time watching digital media than engaging in face-to-face interactions, vocal play, and storytelling.

But the episode doesn’t take an all-or-nothing stance. The focus is on balance, context, and informed choices. The right kind of screen content — such as short, high-quality, parent-guided material — used sparingly and purposefully, can be supportive. However, the earlier screen use begins and the longer it lasts, the greater the risk of it displacing real-life experiences that are essential for healthy growth.

Ultimately, the hosts advocate for screen time strategies that support development, not replace it. For children under 18 months, that means focusing on real-world play, movement, and communication. For toddlers and preschoolers, it’s about setting boundaries and choosing screen time with intention.

This episode is a must for any parent navigating modern tech, especially during their child’s most formative years. It blends practical advice with research-backed insight and helps reframe the conversation around screens — not as the enemy, but as a tool to be used wisely.

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Видео No Screens Before 18 Months? Here’s Why It Matters | Mom in the City Podcast канала Mom in the City Podcast