C is for Choices

Digital well-being for families is a top concern for parents, and everyday decisions can make all the difference. As a parent, you make big and small choices for your family all day long! You help children make healthy decisions about what to eat, how to stay safe, and much more. You also decide how, when, where, and with whom they use technology. Managing kids’ digital habits helps them learn to make smart choices. 

The concept of understanding and making choices is a basic part of early learning. Simply being aware that they are making choices can naturally lead to making healthy ones. Over time, healthy daily choices — whether they are about digital media or not — become more routine and turn into habits that benefit them.  

Together, watch this video in which Elmo and his Daddy make many choices about how they use their tablets. This can serve as a great example of screen time tips for parents, helping everyone engage with technology mindfully. 

Elmo makes choices each and every day.   

They let us be the best as we learn and play.  

Later, on your own, consider these ways to help children build awareness of choices:  

Later, on your own, consider these ways to help children build awareness of choices, an important part of teaching digital well-being to kids:  

• Explain your own choices to children in the moment and what may happen after you make a certain choice. Something as simple as “I’m feeling cranky because I’m a little hungry. Let’s see what snack I can choose…there’s some cake and there’s an apple. I’ll choose the apple because it’s a healthy fruit that will give my body and brain more energy. The cake isn’t the best choice because the sugar won’t help my body feel good.” You’ll be setting the stage to help children make their own choices and think about what would happen when they make a particular choice.   

• When it comes to digital media, you can also narrate: “I’ve been scrolling on my screen for a while. It’s time for a big stretch!” Similarly, especially when using your phone, try explaining your choices. (For instance, “I’m checking work e-mails,” “I’m ordering groceries,” “I need to look up directions”) so children see how adults choose to use technology as a tool that helps us do our jobs and take care of our families.