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Course Objectives

By the end of this training, you will be able to:

  1. Explain to others the effects that screen time and digital media use have on young children.
  2. Understand and know where to access evidence-based guidelines for screen time for children, both in early learning settings and at home.
  3. Apply new strategies to reduce screen time and use screens wisely in your early learning program.
  4. Talk to parents about healthy digital media use for children at home.


STARS Credit: 2

Training provides two (2) STARS continuing education hours in Health, Safety & Nutrition. See FAQ page for more information on STARS credits. 

The training should take about 2 hours to complete. 

Our trainings can be taken once per annual STARS credit cycle (July-June). You will only receive credits for when you completed the training and only once per cycle.

Training Outline

  • 1

    Overview and Introduction

    • Course Overview and Objectives

    • Training Outline

    • Introduction

    • Early Achievers Connections

    • Pause and Reflect

  • 2

    Part 1: Why Think About Screens?

    • WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT SCREENS?

    • Why should we be concerned about too much screen time?

    • Take a Guess!

    • Screen Use Among Young Children

    • Media Use and Brain Development

    • Media Use and Brain Development - Video

    • Risks of Too Much Screen Time - Replaces Active Play

    • Risks of Too Much Screen Time - Unhealthy Eating Habits

    • Risks of Too Much Screen Time - Exposure to Advertising

    • Risks of Too Much Screen Time - Sleep Problems

    • Risks of Too Much Screen Time - Impacts Learning

    • Benefits of Screens in Early Childhood - Discussion

    • Memory Check!

    • Part 1 Review
  • 3

    Part 2: What Are The Guidelines?

    • WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES FOR SCREEN AND DIGITAL MEDIA USE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN?

    • What are the screen time guidelines for young children?

    • What is high-quality programming?

    • Further Guidance on Screen Use

    • Screen Time Best Practices for Early Learning Settings

    • Screen Time Best Practices for Early Learning Settings

    • NAEYC and Fred Rogers Center Position Statement

    • Part 2 Review
  • 4

    Part 3: Media Aware Strategies

    • STRATEGIES TO REDUCE SCREEN TIME AND USE DIGITAL MEDIA WISELY

    • What can we do to reduce screen time for children?

    • Strategies in Early Learning - Choose to be "Screen Free"

    • Strategies in Early Learning - Plan ahead for challenging times

    • Strategies in Early Learning - Teach children why

    • Strategies in Early Learning - Plan screen use in advance

    • Strategies in Early Learning - Written Policy

    • Strategies in Early Learning - Reflection Questions

    • Working with Families to Reduce Screen Time at Home

    • Working with Families to Reduce Screen Time at Home - Messages

    • Working with Families to Reduce Screen Time at Home - Ideas

    • Screen Time Reduction Toolkit for Early Learning Settings - Skim this resource for anything you might find helpful

    • Working with Families to Reduce Screen Time at Home - Screen Free Challenge

    • Discussion and Resources You Can Share With Families

    • Working With Families - Reflection Questions

    • Part 3 Review
  • 5

    Part 4: Scenarios and Resources

    • SCENARIOS AND RESOURCES

    • Scenario 1 - Lots of screen time with families

    • Scenario 1 - Ideas

    • Scenario 2 - Screens and babies

    • Scenario 2 - Ideas

    • Scenario 3 - Using digital media in the classroom

    • Scenario 3 - Ideas

    • Key Resources for Early Learning
  • 6

    Final Quiz and Wrap-Up

    • Final Quiz

    • Action Plan

    • Summary and Wrap-Up

Instructor

WA State Approved STARS Trainer

Emilee Quinn

Emilee Quinn has worked as researcher, evaluator, and technical assistance provider for the University of Washington Center for Public Health Nutrition since 2011. She currently manages online STARS trainings for early learning providers in Washington State and leads and supports projects relating to public health nutrition and access to healthy food in partnership with community-based and governmental partners. Her prior experience also includes supporting systems-building efforts for early learning and child wellbeing initiatives in Washington State. She received her Masters in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Health Behavior and Health Education.