Media Use Management with Toddlers and Preschoolers: Introducing Screen Time Recommendations in Pediatric Primary Care

Author

Kaitlyn McGoughFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-7-2021

Document Type

DNP Project

Project Team Faculty Member

Dr. Teri Furfaro

Project Team Faculty Member

Dr. Bernadette Sobczak

Keywords

media, screen time, management, recommendations, toddler, preschooler

Abstract

As the field of technology has advanced, screens have become easier than ever to access both for adults and their children in the form of smartphones, tablets, laptops, televisions, and more. This advancement has brought on unforeseen challenges for families as they grapple with understanding and implementing healthy boundaries between their children and technology. By their second year of life, 50% of children will have interacted with some form of media, and research is beginning to reflect that there is a measurable effect of screen time on toddler development. The need for intervention has continued to grow, as children are interacting with a screen for seven hours a day on average.

This project initiated the use of a screen time screening questionnaire and three-point education tool in a rural pediatrics office where no formal screening or education tool had been in place. Throughout the intervention period, forty families with children ranging from one- to five-years-old were screened for the purpose of further assessment and intervention. Screened families were offered relevant, evidence-based education to allow them to begin to form and implement healthy screen time boundaries within their home. At the completion of the project, the two office providers completed a questionnaire regarding the process and its perceived success or failure. The completed Likert scales were analyzed and revealed that over half of the families engaged in a higher than recommended amount of daily screen time along with other relevant conclusions. The office providers vocalized strong, positive opinions about the project.

The office has reported continued use of the questionnaire and three-point education tool for patients of all ages. This project could easily be replicated in other offices of varying sizes, locations, and demographics.

Recommended Citation

McGough, Kaitlyn, "Media Use Management with Toddlers and Preschoolers: Introducing Screen Time Recommendations in Pediatric Primary Care" (2021). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 156.
https://spark.siue.edu/dnpprojects/156

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