7 Tips to Managing Screen Time and Technology for Your Child
- Genesis Childcare 1989 - Tampines
- Nov 5, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 21
In today’s fast-paced digital world, parents often find themselves juggling demanding work schedules, household responsibilities, and the needs of their children. After a long day, it’s understandable that you might need a short break—a little quiet time to rest or catch up on your tasks. Many parents naturally turn to digital devices to occupy their children for a while. Handing them a phone or tablet seems like a convenient solution.
However, while this may provide temporary relief, excessive screen time can have a negative impact on a child’s physical, emotional, and social development. At Genesis Childcare 1989, one of the leading Tampines child care and Tampines preschool centers, we believe that technology should be balanced with meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. Screen time can be beneficial if used in moderation and integrated thoughtfully into a child’s daily routine.
Below are seven effective tips for parents to help manage their child’s screen time while fostering healthy habits and balanced development.
1. Set Clear Boundaries for Screen Time
Before handing your child a digital device, it’s important to establish clear limits. Let your child know in advance how long they can use the device and what they can do with it. By giving children notice, such as “You can watch one episode before dinner,” you help them prepare mentally for transitions and reduce the likelihood of tantrums when screen time ends.
At Genesis Childcare 1989 Tampines preschool, teachers use gentle transitions between activities—this approach can also work at home. Setting expectations teaches children discipline and helps them understand that screens are a privilege, not an unlimited right.
2. Create Family Rules Around Technology
Consistency is key when it comes to screen time. Establish household rules about when and where devices can be used. For instance, you might decide on “No screens during meal times” or “No phones in the bedroom.”
These small but firm boundaries encourage your child to engage in face-to-face conversations and family bonding. At Genesis Childcare 1989, we promote social interactions among children through group play and storytelling, allowing them to build emotional intelligence and communication skills—things that cannot be learned through screens alone.
Limiting device usage not only improves focus but also enhances emotional and physical well-being, setting a strong foundation for lifelong habits.
3. Keep Screen Time Short and Purposeful
Studies consistently show that young children thrive with limited screen time. According to local health recommendations, infants under 18 months should have little to no screen exposure, while preschoolers aged 3 to 7 should have less than one hour of recreational screen time each day.
Instead of unrestricted use, opt for short, supervised sessions. Platforms like YouTube Kids allow parents to manage viewing limits easily. But remember—real-life experiences are far more beneficial.
At our Tampines infant care and Tampines nursery, children engage in sensory play, music, and hands-on exploration to stimulate their curiosity and creativity. These experiences nurture developmental skills that screens simply cannot replace.
4. Keep Devices Out of Bedrooms
A child’s sleep quality is crucial for healthy growth, yet screens can disrupt it. Studies show that the blue light from phones and tablets delays sleep and reduces restfulness. Over time, this can lead to fatigue and difficulty concentrating in school.
Instead of allowing devices in bedrooms, introduce bedtime routines that promote relaxation and bonding. Reading bedtime stories or having quiet conversations not only improves sleep but also strengthens emotional connections between parents and children.
At Genesis Childcare 1989 Tampines preschool, our teachers encourage reading and storytelling to cultivate imagination and language development—activities that parents can continue at home to replace nighttime screen use.
5. Encourage Active and Creative Alternatives
Children don’t need to rely on screens for entertainment. Encourage them to engage in physical activities and creative play instead. This could include outdoor games, art projects, or helping you with simple household tasks.
You can also plan playdates with classmates from your child’s Tampines child care center. These interactions help children build friendships, learn cooperation, and practice empathy—all essential social skills.
According to health experts, infants should have at least 30 minutes of physical activity spread throughout the day. Toddlers and preschoolers need about 180 minutes daily, with a mix of light and moderate-intensity activities such as running, climbing, and balancing.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we prioritize movement and exploration in our daily curriculum. Our play-based learning approach ensures that children develop both physically and intellectually while having fun in a safe and nurturing environment.
6. Be a Role Model for Healthy Screen Habits
Children naturally imitate adults. If they see you constantly scrolling through your phone, they’ll likely follow suit. Setting boundaries for your own device use can go a long way toward teaching your child balance and self-control.
Try implementing family “screen-free zones,” such as the dining area or car rides. Use this time to talk, share stories about your day, or play word games together.
At Genesis Childcare 1989 Tampines child care, our educators demonstrate positive behavior by modeling focus, patience, and respectful communication. Children quickly learn these values and apply them both at school and home. When parents and teachers work together to reinforce consistent habits, children thrive emotionally and mentally.
7. Reward Screen Time as a Privilege, Not a Right
Instead of allowing unlimited screen access, use it as a reward system. Encourage your child to complete homework, tidy their room, or engage in outdoor play before earning screen time.
This approach teaches responsibility and time management. Children begin to see technology as something to be earned through positive behavior and effort.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we use a similar positive reinforcement approach. Children are encouraged to complete learning tasks or show kind behavior, earning praise and rewards for their achievements. This method nurtures intrinsic motivation and builds a sense of accomplishment.
Striking the Right Balance
Technology is a powerful tool when used wisely. It can support learning, creativity, and communication. However, moderation is key. Too much screen exposure can interfere with a child’s natural curiosity, social development, and sleep patterns.
As parents, you play a vital role in guiding your child toward healthy habits. By combining clear rules, positive role modeling, and engaging offline experiences, you help your child build a balanced relationship with technology.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we understand the challenges modern parents face. That’s why our Tampines preschool, Tampines nursery, and Tampines infant care programs are thoughtfully designed to support both academic and emotional growth. We offer a holistic learning environment where children are encouraged to explore, interact, and discover the world beyond screens.
Our dedicated teachers provide loving guidance, while our enriching curriculum blends structured learning with play. From sensory exploration for infants to problem-solving activities for preschoolers, every experience is tailored to nurture confidence, creativity, and independence.
Managing Screen Time and Technology : Partner with Genesis Childcare 1989
In today’s digital world, technology plays a major role in how children learn and engage with their surroundings. While screens can offer educational benefits, managing screen time and technology effectively is crucial to ensure healthy development. Striking the right balance between digital learning and real-world exploration helps children build focus, creativity, and social interaction skills.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we understand that technology, when used thoughtfully, can enhance early learning experiences. Our educators incorporate age-appropriate digital tools in moderation, ensuring that screen time complements — not replaces — hands-on play and face-to-face interactions.
By partnering with Genesis Childcare 1989, parents can rest assured that their children are developing a healthy relationship with technology while enjoying a nurturing, balanced, and engaging learning environment.
What matters most to parents? Our most-read articles:
Reading & talking to infants
Playgrounds in Singapore
Must-have child products
Changing diapers
Unforgettable moments
Family-friendly things to do
Angry child
Stop baby from crying
Genesis Tampines Childcare 1989 is one of the best preschool and childcare in Tampines. Our Preschool Tampines have over 30 years of experience in nurturing thousands of infants, toddlers and preschoolers. At our Tampines Childcare, we advocate that every child is unique and precious who needs to be loved and cherished.
As a leading early childhood center in Singapore since 1989, we are committed to nurturing our early learners holistically through various learning areas and positive learning dispositions. We place a strong emphasis on the way our teachers facilitate and interact with the children.
Our Childcare Tampines believe that every child is unique and precious who needs to be loved and cherished. Hence, our holistic curriculum aims to create meaningful learning experiences for each and every one of them!
Our Playgroup Tampines provides parents with the confidence that their children are in the good hands of our trained and caring teachers.
Our professional team of preschool teachers has a good understanding of child development and learning principles. We apply them efficiently and set the stage to create a meaningful learning experience that supports your child's discovery.
We consistently create a positive and cozy environment that will give your child a sense of security which builds their self-confidence to explore the world around them.
If you are looking for a good Tampines infant care or Tampines preschool or Tampines childcare near Tampines Central, do consider Nurture Infant House or Genesis Childcare 1989.
Located alongside our childcare in Tampines is our Nurture Infant House. If you are looking for Tampines infant care or infant care in Tampines, do visit Nurture Infant House. It is for infants aged 2 months to 18 months old. You can learn more about our infant care Tampines here.
Lastly, would you like to visit our Genesis Childcare 1989 to find out more about our environment and setup as well as understand our operations by talking to our teachers and supervisor?
Genesis Childcare 1989 (Playgroup to Kindergarten 2)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-63/65 S(520433)
Nurture Infant House (2 to 18 months Infants)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-61 S(520433)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday (7am to 7pm) & Saturday (7am to 2pm)
Public Bus services: 8 / 21 / 28 / 29 / 293
Tel: 96664141
Comments