Quick Takeaways
- Under 2 years: No sedentary screen time (video calls are fine).
- Ages 2-5: Aim for less than one hour per day of recreational screen time.
- Co-viewing beats solo viewing: Watching or talking together builds connection and language.
- Purposeful technology use, not avoidance, helps children develop early digital literacy skills for the future.
Finding Balance, Not Perfection
If you’ve ever handed your toddler a tablet so you could cook dinner in peace, you’re far from alone. Screens are part of modern family life, especially when you’re balancing work, meals and bedtime routines. What matters most isn’t striving for zero screen time, but finding a healthy balance that leaves space for movement, play and rest.
At Milestones, we take a realistic, compassionate approach. According to Australia's 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, and the eSafety Commissioner, it's not just how long children spend on screens, but how they use them. Co-viewing, talking about what's on screen, and linking it to real-world play all help build communication, confidence and calm transitions.
What the Australian Guidelines Say
Australia’s 24-Hour Movement Guidelines combine play, rest and screen use into one holistic picture of wellbeing:
- Under 2 years: Avoid screen time (except video calls with loved ones).
- Ages 2-5: Keep recreational screen time under one hour per day.
- Include plenty of movement, outdoor play and face-to-face interaction.
These recommendations are grounded in decades of research showing that young brains develop best through hands-on experiences - talking, touching, imagining, exploring. Too much passive screen time can affect attention, communication and sleep.
A 2023 Australian study found that only one in five preschoolers met all three movement guidelines for activity, sleep and screen use. That simply shows most families are still finding their balance, and that’s perfectly okay. The goal is progress, not perfection. These principles also guide how we approach technology in our centres, with purpose, balance and connection in mind.
How We Use Technology with Purpose
At Milestones, technology is a learning tool, not a substitute for real-world experiences. We integrate digital resources thoughtfully into our Lifelong Learning Curriculum, ensuring every use aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) outcomes around communication, confidence and active learning.
Here’s how that looks in practice:
- Mathseeds and Reading Eggs subscriptions (included in enrolment) support numeracy and early literacy through play-based, age-appropriate activities. Educators guide these sessions and encourage families to extend learning at home.
- The Early Years Toolbox helps educators track developmental progress - attention, vocabulary and social-emotional skills - so each child’s learning can be personalised.
- Interactive smart screens are used for group exploration, for example, viewing insect photos during a nature project or replaying a group song, always with an educator leading discussion and follow-up hands-on activities.
These experiences nurture digital literacy, the ability to use technology confidently, safely and creatively. Under the EYLF, that means children are developing “a strong sense of identity” and “effective communication,” learning that digital tools are part of their world but never the centre of it.
Easy, Everyday Swaps that Really Work
Small changes can keep screen time balanced and positive. Try a few this week:
- Before bed: swap cartoons for a calm story or cuddle. Shared reading supports language and better sleep.
- After meals: trade TV for a quick family dance break - it boosts coordination and bonding.
- In the car: use sing-alongs or audiobooks instead of tablets.
- While you cook: keep a “busy box” of crayons, blocks or recycled containers for pretend play.
- After daycare pickup: reconnect with a simple ritual - “Tell me the funniest thing you did today!”
Even brief swaps like these help children practice self-regulation and communication, the real building blocks of learning, according to the eSafety Commissioner's guidance for parents.
How Milestones Supports Families
- We model healthy screen use: educators co-view and discuss, never use screens for passive babysitting.
- We stay up to date with guidance from ACECQA, the eSafety Commissioner and current child-development research.
- We encourage parents to keep devices out of bedrooms and switch them off an hour before bed, a simple habit that improves rest and focus.
- Most importantly, we keep families part of the conversation. Every child, and every household, is different, and we’re here to support you in finding what works.
It’s About Connection, Not Perfection
Every family’s rhythm looks different, and there’s no single “right” formula. What matters is that your child spends most of their day exploring, playing, talking, imagining, and connecting.
At Milestones, we’re proud to teach children not just how to use technology, but when and why. If you’d like to learn more about how your child’s class uses MathSeeds, Reading Eggs and our digital learning tools, or want ideas for easy at-home swaps, speak with your Centre Manager or educators anytime.
Together, we’re helping the next generation grow up confident, curious and connected, on-screen and off.
Curious about our approach to learning and development? Find your nearest Milestones Early Learning Centre here.