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

Balance means being intentional, not perfect. Try to set clear, realistic boundaries — for example, no screens before outdoor play or meals. Let screen time happen occasionally, but make space every day for hands-on, physical, or nature-based experiences. Children need movement and real-world feedback to develop properly. You can explain to family that you're not trying to ban screens, just trying to make better choices an do what's best for your kid.

No, it’s not unusual. Young children learn through observation and repetition. Phones are designed to be easy to use, even for toddlers. But while it’s impressive, this kind of digital skill doesn’t reflect cognitive or emotional maturity. It just means they’re picking up what they see. What matters more is how much time they spend on it, and what it might be replacing — like physical activity, face-to-face interaction, and play.

Outdoor and sensory-rich activities are best. It's ok if it gets messy!Especially if he is only 1.5 years old. For developing things like focus and emotional regulation, try activities like stacking stones, sorting leaves or sticks, building things with mud or sand. Messy, but it's ok - it can all be washed. And if it falls down and he gets discouraged and cries, it's ok. That's part of the learning and the exposure!

Your child doesn't need to learn to use a tablet at home in order to learn how to use it in school. Actually the important skills needed for school — attention, listening, self-regulation, communication — are better developed through play, movement, and face-to-face interaction. Kids adapt quickly to technology once they’re older. Overexposure early on may actually make it harder for them to concentrate and follow structure in class. Let home be the space where foundational life skills are built.

Using a screen well, being able to swipe or search on a phone or a tablet, doesn’t reflect deeper development. What matters at this age is their ability to move, interact, problem-solve, and express themselves in the real world. If your child can play, explore, and communicate in any form (even non-verbal), they’re on track. There’s no developmental benefit to becoming “tech-savvy” at age 2 or 3.

Start by giving clear, calm warnings before ending screen time — e.g., “After this video, we’re stopping.” Use a visual cue like a timer or sand clock. In public, bring a substitute: small toys, snacks, stickers, or books. If a tantrum happens, stay firm but calm. Validate their feelings — “You really want more iPad time” — and hold the boundary. Repeated consistency is what helps the most, even if it’s hard at first.

This requires an honest and firm conversation with grandparents and caregivers. Make your expectations clear. Share your reasoning — for example, “We’re trying to help her build focus and calm, so we’re keeping screen time limited at this age.” Offer alternatives: simple nature-based toys, bubbles, outdoor walks, water play, or singing. If they still disregard your approach, hold your boundaries at home and with your child. You can’t control everything, but consistent limits in your own time with your child still make a difference.

I don't think you need to be concerned about this - but it is worth paying attention to. Many kids feel more confident when the interaction is one-sided or “filtered.” The concern is if screen-based expression replaces real-world interaction. Support her real-life confidence through nature playgroups, parent-child outdoor classes, or just consistent outdoor play with one or two children. Shyness is normal — it becomes a problem only when they avoid real-life social growth altogether.

You don’t need to be creative. You just need to create space. Kids figure it out through doing — even if they cry or resist at first. Boredom is normal. What he really needs is engagement, not novelty

Yes, it could be a factor. Excessive screen time, especially passive watching, can delay speech and language development because it replaces real-life interaction, which is how language grows. Involve your child during your everyday activities, read books together, and spend time outdoors describing what you both see. You don't have to do something special for them - just involve them in what you are doing.