Parent guide
Screen Time for Toddlers and Preschoolers: What the Guidelines Say
By the Baby Learning World team · Updated 17 September 2026
We make videos for young children, so we think it's important to be upfront about screen time. Short, good-quality videos watched together can be a fun part of the day, but they work best as one small part of a childhood full of play, talking, reading, movement and sleep.
Here's a plain-English summary of what the major guidelines recommend, and how to make screen time count when you do use it.
What the guidelines recommend
| Age | World Health Organization (2019) | Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1 | Screen time not recommended | No screen time |
| 1 to 2 years | Sedentary screen time not recommended for 1-year-olds; no more than 1 hour for 2-year-olds, less is better | No screen time for under-twos |
| 2 to 5 years | No more than 1 hour a day, less is better | No more than 1 hour a day, less is better |
Sources: WHO guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5; Australian Government 24-hour movement guidelines, birth to 5 years. Video calls with family are generally treated differently from passive viewing.
Why the limits?
Young children learn best through real-world interaction: back-and-forth conversation, moving their bodies, handling objects and playing with other people. Time on screens can displace these things, and screens close to bedtime can make it harder to settle to sleep. The guidelines aim to protect time for the activities children need most.
Making screen time better
- Watch together. Sing along, point things out and ask questions. Co-viewing turns a video into a shared activity.
- Choose short, slow content. Look for clear songs and simple stories rather than fast, noisy clips.
- Take it off the screen. Repeat the song at bath time or act out the rhyme with toys. Every video page on our site includes activity ideas for this.
- Avoid autoplay. Decide in advance how many videos you'll watch. Our songs are short, which makes natural stopping points — sing one or two together, then switch off.
- Screen-free zones. Many families keep screens out of bedrooms and away from meals.
- Stop before bed. Aim to finish screen time well before bedtime and switch to books and songs.
Turning the screen off without tears
Give a warning ("two more songs, then we're turning it off"), use a timer your child can see, and have the next activity ready. Ending on a song your child can keep singing, like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, can make the switch easier.
Your family, your choices
Guidelines are a helpful target, but real life is messy. Illness, travel and long days happen. If screen time creeps up, focus on small changes rather than guilt. If you have concerns about your child's development, sleep or behaviour, talk to your GP or child health nurse.
How we try to help: our videos use clear, slow singing, and every video on this site comes with off-screen activities so learning carries on after the song ends.
Questions parents ask
How much screen time should a 2-year-old have?
The WHO recommends no more than one hour a day for 2-year-olds, with less being better. Australia's guidelines recommend no screen time for children under two and no more than one hour a day for children aged two to five.
Is any screen time OK for babies?
Both the WHO and Australian guidelines recommend no screen time for babies under one. Video calls with family are generally viewed differently from watching videos.
Are educational videos better?
Content matters, but so does how it is used. Short, slow, age-appropriate videos watched together and followed up with real-world play are the best fit for young children.
Does screen time before bed affect sleep?
Screens close to bedtime can make it harder for children to settle. Many families switch to books, songs and quiet play in the hour before bed.
