🧠 Ask The Expert | Too Much Screen, Too Little Play: Is Your Child Losing Essential Life Skills?

It's not necessarily “bad,” but it is definitely limited in value. Mimicking actions and words is good, but what matters more is whether they can apply those skills in real life. Screen-based learning can’t replace real-world practice. Encourage physical movement off-screen — like dancing to music you play yourself, following instructions in person, or doing similar activities outdoors.

The best thing is to start by replacing, not removing. Offer something active before saying “no” to the screen. Things like going for a walk, a treasure hunt, a pretend ""adventure"" - if you don't provide them an alternative, then of course they will keep going back to screen time. And don't worry if at first they aren't interested. Keep persevering and keep trying. Children often resist at first, but if the new activity is engaging and physical, they’ll start to shift. Also, reduce your own screen use in front of them — that makes a big difference.

It’s common. Kids observe and pick up digital habits fast. But it can create overstimulation. The concern is more about how often they’re using screens and whether they can also play, move, and communicate well outside of screens.

It's still considered screentime, but it is certainly less harmful and less likely for them to get " addicted" to it. It is still good to redirect him to other activities, or to use the camera to take picture of other things instead of just himself.

Nature-based, sensory-rich, and physically active play helps most. Things like digging in soil, playing with water, collecting leaves and stones and sticks, or even just running and jumping around can help the body regulate energy, calm the nervous system, and give kids time to process feelings through movement and exploration.

No, not in the same way. Video calls are interactive and they build relations. Also they help to support language and connection. That said, they should still be balanced with other types of interaction, especially play and physical activity.

Yes, that’s okay. Parenting is demanding, and rest matters. Just aim for balance — try to also include time outdoors or in movement-based play first, before screen time. And if possible, offer something active afterward too. Weekend screen time won’t undo everything if your weekday rhythm supports development through real-world experiences.