Preschooler Obsessed With Tablet

Question: My preschooler is obsessed with his tablet and doesn’t want to play with other toys. What can I do?

Answer: Some children start to prefer screen/digital activities to other forms of play in early childhood. This is often because playing digital games or watching videos of other people playing feels easier and immediately satisfying, while trying a new game or being creative takes some work. This is especially true for young children who have a shorter attention span or are very “visual thinkers” and love the sensation of watching predictable videos. They can find the open-ended nature of play harder to initiate or sustain (because toys don’t have autoplay!).

But we know that hands-on play is really important for parent-child relationships, child learning, and building an attention span, so it’s great that you are trying to find ways to get your child interested in play.

Here are some things you can try

• Only allow screen/digital play at certain times of the day, so your child starts to not expect it at other times and you’ll hear less negotiating or whining. It is normal for there to be a burst of more complaints or requests when you first change up your screen schedule, so try to be consistent and it will pass!
• Think of games that you loved to play as a child and gently introduce them to your child – you will find these easier to engage in regularly.
• Ask your child’s teacher what your child likes to play in school and try that at home.
• Consider limiting the number of toys available at one time so that it isn’t overwhelming or distracting to your child. You can also try rotating toys (putting some in a closet or bin and taking out ones your children haven’t seen in a while), since kids are drawn to novelty.
• Have regular outings to the library, playground, or community centers.

Age: Preschooler, 3-5 years

Topics: Play, tablets

Role: Parent/Caregiver