More Play Time, Less Screen Time
Play is universal—all young children do it when they are with each other, if they can. According to a 2017 study, U.S. 2- to 10-year-olds average 19 hours per week of screen time, exceeding the 15 hours they spend in indoor screen-free play by themselves or with others. Although children play outside for an additional 11 hours per week, parents report that when indoors, their children’s screen time crowds out screen-free play.
What 2- to 10-year-olds do with their free time
- Screen-based play (screen time): 18.6 hours per week
- Screen-free play (outside play): 10.6 hours per week
- Screen-free play (indoor play): 14.6 hours per week
Data from Gallup, 2017.
Way too much screen time
Very few children have the recommended less than an hour of screen time per day. Some have much more. This is particularly evident on weekends, when they should be playing outside or interacting with their families. What did children do before 1950, without TV or computers? Talking, reading, cooking, cleaning, board games, ball games, playing music, drawing pictures, writing letters (ellipsis) the list of things that some children never do could go on and on!
Children on Screens
| Age | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 2 to 5 years old | 33 |
| 6 to 8 years old | 38 |
| 9 to 10 years old | 42 |
Data from Gallup, 2017.
What caregivers can do to encourage play
At ages 1 to 3
- Choose childcare and preschools that emphasize unstructured playtime
- Offer simple, inexpensive objects (blocks, empty containers, puzzles, etc.), not screens or fancy gadgets
- Organize caregiver-supervised playdates with peers
- Encourage make-believe play
- Sing songs and play rhythms that invite participation
At ages 4 to 6
- Provide opportunities for singing and dancing
- Encourage a variety of movements in a safe environment—e.g., hopping, swinging, climbing, and somersaulting
- Blend make-believe games and reality—e.g., “playing house” and helping with chores
- Encourage school officials to offer recess and play-centered learning approaches, not just reading, memorization, and worksheets
Information from American Academy of Pediatrics, 2018.