Young children should not be learning primarily from screens. They should be learning through their hands and senses, imaginations and relationships, movement and play.

Young children need time with parents and caregivers. Eye contact, conversation, songs, stories, hugs. Blocks to build, books to turn, pages, crayons to draw, kitchens to pretend, trees to climb and run around. Time touching rough and smooth textures, and using their tiny hands to explore everything.

Screens can be educational. But they can’t look you in the eye. They won’t teach your baby language or attention or emotional security or imagination or kindness.

Your baby doesn’t need a video for entertainment. Your baby needs you.

Your toddler doesn’t need a device to learn how to use their imagination. They already have plenty of imagination. Your toddler needs time. Space. Simple toys. And your undivided attention.

I’m not saying parents need to feel guilty about screen time. We’re all tired. We’re all doing the best we can. But maybe we shouldn’t let screens take over. Let’s remember what kids really need.

Before screen time, they need play time. Before programs, they need human interaction. Before apps and online learning, they need to explore the world around them.

One of my goals in writing Raising Children in the Age of Screens was to give parents, teachers and caregivers a chance to reflect on what kids really need in a screen-dominated world.