Is Screen Time Hurting Your Child’s Speech Development?

Let’s be honest - screens are everywhere.

From YouTube to Cocomelon, even the youngest kids seem to have an uncanny ability to navigate a tablet better than some adults. But as convenient (and let’s face it, sometimes lifesaving) as screens can be, have you ever considered if too much screen time might be affecting your child’s speech development?

It’s a question many parents and teachers in Singapore are asking and rightly so. Studies suggest there is a link between excessive screen time and delayed speech development, especially in toddlers. But how does this actually happen? Let’s understand in detail.

1. Reduced Interaction Time

   • Kids learn to talk by listening to others and having conversations.

   • More screen time may mean fewer face-to-face conversations, which are crucial for language learning.

     
     

2. Delayed Expressive Language

   • Some studies show that toddlers who spend a lot of time on screens tend to take longer to develop vocabularies and take longer to start forming sentences.

     
     

3. Less Turn-Taking Practice

   • Speech development relies on back-and-forth interactions (like conversations with caregivers).

   • Watching videos or playing with screens often doesn’t provide the same opportunity for practicing conversational turns, which could potentially hinder co-regulation abilities.

     
     

4. Background TV vs. Active Learning

   • Even if a child isn’t actively watching, having a screen on can distract them from talking, playing, and engaging with people around them.

     
     

So, How Much Screen Time is Too Much?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides the following guidelines on screen use for young children during their early development stages:

• Under 18 months: No screen time (except for video calls with family).

• 18-24 months: If you introduce screens, do it together... talk about what’s happening and interact with them.

• 2-5 years: Try to keep screen time to about an hour a day, and select educational, high-quality content.

• 6 years and older: Balance screen time with other activities like reading, playing, and spending time outside.

Making Screen Time Work for Speech Development

Of course, banning screens completely isn’t practical. But you can make small changes to ensure screen time isn’t getting in the way of speech development. Here’s how:

1. Watch together – Instead of just handing over a tablet, co-watch and discuss what’s happening on the screen. Use declarative language to describe what is happening and encourage discussion.

2. 

   Pick interactive content – TV programs that encourage participation (ie. "Blue’s Clues" or "Sesame Street") can be better for language development as they encourage responses.

3. Prioritise playtime – Keep screens from replacing activities like reading bedtime stories, playing pretend, or singing songs. These moments are gold for speech and cognitive development.

4. Create screen-free zones – Try keeping mealtimes and bedtime screen-free so there’s more room for actual conversations (helps to develop speech).

The Takeaway? Moderation is Key.

• Screen time isn’t inherently harmful, but excessive or even passive screen time can impact a child’s speech and language development.

• Key is moderation and engagement, using screens as a tool for learning rather than a replacement for human interaction.

  
  

If you’re worried about your child’s speech development, or just want to know more about how speech therapy can help, reach out to us today, and we can work together to give your child the best start in language learning.

Contact us now:

Phone: +65 9115 8895

E-mail: enquiries@totalcommunication.com.sg

Address: 1 Pemimpin Drive #11-08 Singapore 576151