Screen Time for Toddlers: What Every Parent Needs to Know

• Excessive screen time in toddlers is linked to delayed speech, shorter attention spans, restless nights, and heightened irritability.
• Early childhood brain development relies on real-world interactions for neural connections, which passive screen viewing cannot replicate.
• Research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) connects high screen time to cognitive and behavioral differences later in life.
• Screens before bedtime disrupt sleep patterns, affecting mood, attention, and impulse control in children.
• Replacing passive screen time with play, conversation, and shared activities is recommended to foster healthy development.

Why It Matters: Limit toddler screen time to prevent developmental issues; prioritize real-world interaction and play for healthy growth.