--- title: "Screen Time: Let’s Talk" description: Learn how child care providers and families can work together to establish healthy screen habits for young children, promoting balanced play, sleep, and learning. image: https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/CLIX%202026.09.29%20Screen%20Time%20Bingo.png --- [![Child Care Aware of Missouri Logo](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Child%20Care%20Aware%20Logo%20(1).png?width=666&height=414&name=Child%20Care%20Aware%20Logo%20(1).png "Child Care Aware of Missouri Logo")](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication) Open main menu Close main menu [Child Care Health and Wellness](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/child-care-health-and-wellness) # Screen Time: Let’s Talk [Child Care Aware® of Missouri](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/author/child-care-aware-of-missouri) [Share this blog post via Email](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EScreen+Time%3A+Let%E2%80%99s+Talk%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post%3A+https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/chaw-screen-time-lets-talk) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/chaw-screen-time-lets-talk) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/chaw-screen-time-lets-talk) ![](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/CLIX%202026.09.29%20Screen%20Time%20Bingo.png) **Partnering with families is essential to building healthy screen habits that support young children’s sleep, play, learning, and connection. Share practical strategies, listen without judgment, and help families find a screen-time balance that works for them.** Healthy screen habits are easier to support when child care programs and families work together. Parents may have different routines, expectations, and comfort levels around screen use  at home, making open, nonjudgmental conversations especially important. Share information about the benefits of limiting screen time for young children, and encourage families to consider what their child is watching, how long they are watching, and which  activities screen time may be replacing. Healthy screen habits involve more than setting limits. They also include choosing age-appropriate content and making time for sleep, active play, reading, creativity, and family connection. Child care providers can help parents feel supported by sharing simple strategies they can use at home. Encourage families to create screen-free times and spaces, such as during meals and before bedtime, and to watch or play alongside their child when screens are used. Ask parents what works well for their family, and offer ideas rather than instructions. When providers and parents communicate regularly and model healthy technology habits, children receive consistent messages. They find that screens are just one of many ways to learn, play, and connect with others. Looking for practical ways to reduce young children’s screen time? Go NAPSACC offers easy-to-use resources and strategies to help child care programs create healthier habits around screen time, physical activity and more. [Check out this resource](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/Screen-Free%20Bingo.pdf) and discover additional ways Go NAPSACC can support your program. [Registration](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WVGHX2L) for the October 2026 Go NAPSACC project is now open. For questions, please contact Lauri Choate, Director of Programs, at [lauri@mochildcareaware.org](mailto:lauri@mochildcareaware.org) or 314-754-1603.   --- Explore our other Child Care Aware® of Missouri resources: [Child Care Keeps Missouri Working℠](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/child-care-keeps-missouri-working) [Child Care Health and Wellness](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/child-care-nutrition-and-physical-activity) [Community Data](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/community-data) [Join Our Team](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/join-our-team) [Leadership Development Opportunities](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/leadership-development-opportunities) [Missouri Office of Childhood Updates](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/missouri-office-of-childhood-updates) [Scholarships for Educators](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/scholarships-for-educators) [Show Me Child Care Resources](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/show-me-child-care-resources) [Support Child Care Aware® of Missouri](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/support-child-care-aware) [Resources to Build Your Business](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/resources-to-build-your-business) [Training and Technical Assistance](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/training-and-technical-assistance) Visit [https://mochildcareaware.org](https://mochildcareaware.org) to learn more. #### About - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### Services - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### News - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three Follow us on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram