Parental Guidance
Screen-viewing among preschoolers in childcare
Screen-viewing among preschoolers in childcare: a systematic review" examines the prevalence and correlates of screen-viewing behaviors among preschool-aged children (2.5-5 years) attending childcare settings, including both center-based and home-based facilities.
BMC Pediatrics · 2014-08-16
Summary
Screen-viewing is a predominant sedentary activity among preschoolers, and understanding its prevalence in childcare settings is crucial. Excessive screen time during early childhood has been linked to various health concerns, including obesity, behavioral issues, and developmental delays. Given that many children spend a significant portion of their day in childcare, assessing screen-viewing within this environment is essential for developing effective guidelines and interventions.
Key Findings
Prevalence of Screen-Viewing:
Center-Based Childcare: Preschoolers engaged in approximately 0.1 to 1.3 hours of screen-viewing per day.
Home-Based Childcare: Children spent about 1.8 to 2.4 hours per day engaged in screen-viewing activities.
Correlates of Screen-Viewing:
Staff Education: Higher staff education levels were associated with reduced screen-viewing time among children.
Type of Childcare Arrangement: Children in home-based childcare settings were more likely to have higher screen-viewing times compared to those in center-based care.
Childcare Environment:
The availability of screen-based activities in childcare settings was found to be conducive to increased screen-viewing among preschoolers.
X-Axis:
Childcare types: 'Center-Based Childcare' and 'Home-Based Childcare'.
Y-Axis:
Average screen time in hours per day.
Bars:
Two bars representing the average screen time for each childcare setting.
Error Bars:
Representing variability or standard deviation in screen time within each setting.
Methodology:
Systematic review of 17 international studies published between 2004 and 2014, including experimental, cross-sectional, and mixed-methods research.
Studies examined rates of screen-viewing and access to screen-based activities in both center- and home-based childcare settings.
Implications:
The findings indicate that preschoolers, especially those in home-based childcare, are exposed to significant amounts of screen time. This underscores the need for targeted interventions and policies to reduce screen exposure in childcare environments. Enhancing staff education and creating engaging, non-screen-based activities may help mitigate excessive screen-viewing among young children.
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