When schools were closed for two months during Singapore's circuit breaker period in 2020, most parents were thrown into juggling work-from-home and supervising the home-based learning of their school-going children for the first time.

Those without additional help to care for younger children ended up having to turn to digital devices to "babysit" them and keep them quiet through the day. Furthermore, play dates and going outdoors were significantly reduced or completely done away with in light of the threat of COVID-19 – which also resulted in the increased time children spent on screens.

It is of little wonder, then, that the Straits Times has been covering stories on the increase of developmental delays in young children and its ties to unhealthy levels of screen time during the pandemic: • Unregulated screen time during early childhood years can lead to developmental issues: Study • More young kids diagnosed with developmental delays in Singapore • Pandemic habits are harming your child's development

As if the stresses of the pandemic weren't already enough, parents like myself now have to reckon with the guilt of counting on devices to keep our children occupied as we handle the other demands of life in a pandemic, while worrying about how the increased screen usage and decreased social interaction may have negative consequences on the development of our children.

The million-dollar question probably is: Do screen time guidelines still apply during the pandemic?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that children should not get any screen time until 18 to 24 months, except for video chatting. Kids ages two to five should only have a maximum of an hour of screen time daily.

However, in March 2020, the AAP issued a statement acknowledging that screen time usage is likely to increase due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the pandemic.

"While limits are still important, under these stressful circumstances, kids' screen media use will likely increase. Parents can take steps to ensure that this media use is positive and helps the family and community," the statement noted.

It did not make any new recommendations for screen time during this season.

"We are trying to prevent parents from feeling like they are not meeting some sort of standard," said Dr Jenny Radesky, a paediatrician and expert on children and media at the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. She was contributing her expertise to the statement in a New York Times interview.

"There is no science behind this right now. If you are looking for specific time limits, then I would say: Don't be on it all day," she added.

We're living in unusual times, so instead of worrying about the length of time your child is spending on the screen, focus on keeping screen usage positive and helpful.

CHOOSE GOOD-QUALITY CONTENT

The effects of screens on children is dependent on the type of content they engage with when using a screen.

High-quality screen content can benefit your child greatly, allowing your child to learn new skills and exercise creative problem-solving skills.

For example, educational videos that introduce new concepts or skills like numeracy, reading, and dancing, allow your child to learn something useful while on the device. Videos that encourage your child to solve puzzles will challenge your child to think and explore instead of consuming the content mindlessly.

USE THE SCREEN TOGETHER

If your child spends hours on a device alone without supervision or interaction, that’s probably not healthy.

Engaging with your child and finding ways for your child to engage socially is important in practising healthy screen use.

For example, when your child is watching a programme, talk to them about what’s going on in the programme they are watching. If a new concept is introduced, prompt them to ask questions, or explain what is being shown if they are too young to have a conversation.

You can also engage in a screen activity together with your child while you’re taking a short break from work – such as watching videos that encourage activities such as doing crafts or exercising together.

This gives you an opportunity to discuss what is happening and do something together. Also, stay in touch with family and friends through video calls as a family if you're social distancing at home.

Interacting with your child during screen usage and setting up opportunities for them to interact with others virtually will help them to develop their language skills.

INCREASE YOUR OFF-SCREEN COMMUNICATION

If screen time is inevitably increasing, parents can also increase their level of conversation with their children to develop their ability to relate to others, language skills and cognitive processes. This is a crucial platform for them to practise in real life what they are receiving through the screen.

Here's a list of tips to help you along:

(a) Talk with young children, even babies, every day and as much as possible. (b) Narrate daily activities to your children, such as changing clothes, feeding, or bathing. Describe to them your actions and feelings. (c) Respond to their lead. Tune into what they are looking at, their facial expressions, and their attempts to connect with you. (d) Encourage back-and-forth communication by asking questions and prompting their answers. (e) Use a sing-song voice. This type of talking helps young children learn words. (f) Use actual words, even when talking to babies, and repeat certain words and phrases often. (h) Praise the child when they communicate with you. (i) Speak in the language you are comfortable in, as children learn best this way. (j) Use gestures to aid your communication. (k) Introduce new vocabulary through singing, reading and telling stories. (l) Note that television and audio recordings do not help children learn new words as well as you using these words in conversation with them. (m) You just need your words to talk to your child – and you can always enlist the help of books!

At the end of the day, there’s no one right answer when it comes to managing screen time during this ongoing crisis. Just remember that as their parent – the closest human connection your child has – a conversation with you beats screen time any day!

Have a parenting experience or revelation to share? Send it to us here.