Quality Rating 3: Screen Time
Screen Time Policy
“Shared intentional technology time can encourage conversations with children and introduce new vocabulary. It can also offer children access to images of friends, family, animals, and objects that they would not otherwise see” (Shabazian & LiSoga, p. 60).1
Opportunities for learning surround us, particularly in the age of technology. Balancing children’s use of technology and screen time with other important learning opportunities and interactions is one of many challenges early childhood and school-age care providers face each day.
This section guides you through reviewing, revising, or creating a written policy that explains how your program manages the time children spend using technology (examples: computers, mobile devices) and other media (examples: television, videos). A Screen Time Policy describes a program’s use of a variety of media for learning. It is used as evidence for Developmentally Appropriate Learning and Practice: Screen Time: DAP 7.3 (DAP 6.3 – School-Age Only).
NOTE: If you meet the requirements for DAP 7.3 (DAP 6.3 –School-Age Only), you also meet the requirements for DAP 7.4 and DAP 7.5 (School- Age Only: DAP 6.4 and DAP 6.5).
Select Requirements for information to include in your program’s screen time policy.
1 Shabazian, A.N. & LiSoga, C. (2014). Making the right choice simple: Selecting materials for infants and toddlers. Young Children, 69, 3, 60 – 65.