Guide 1
What "active screen time" means
Passive screen time is watching while nothing is asked of the child. Active screen time asks them to do something: tap, answer, sing, copy a move or make something afterwards. The same ten minutes can feel very different for a child.
Quick checklist
- Does the child do something every minute or so, such as tap, speak or move?
- Can you sit nearby and join in?
- Is there a clear end, so stopping is not a surprise?
- Is there an offline follow-up, like a drawing, a dance or a talk?
Session length ideas by age
| Age | One video block | Then try |
|---|
| 2-3 | About 10 minutes | Songs with actions, naming things, a snuggle |
| 4-5 | About 15 minutes | Acting out the story, drawing a scene |
| 6-8 | About 20 minutes | Retelling the story, building with boxes or blocks |
These are starting points that match the Session Planner. You know your child best, so adjust.
Guide 2
Building language through interaction
Children pick up words when they use them. Interactive stories give plenty of reasons to talk: naming what they see, answering a question or singing a repeating line. You can add more with a few simple habits.
- Ask open questions that start with "What", "Why" or "How" instead of yes/no ones.
- Wait a few seconds after asking. Silence gives your child time to think.
- Repeat their words back, adding one more: "A big dinosaur!" becomes "A big green dinosaur!"
- Revisit the story later at snack time or in the car.
Question starters by age
| Age | Try asking |
|---|
| 2-3 | "Where is the dinosaur?" "What sound does it make?" |
| 4-5 | "How do you think the dinosaur feels?" "What happens next?" |
| 6-8 | "Why did the character do that?" "How would you change the ending?" |
Need fresh questions for a specific story? The Story Extender writes five for you.
Guide 3
How to share a screen with a child
A shared screen turns a solo activity into a shared one. You do not need to be an expert. Your job is to be curious beside them.
- Sit at the child's level and hold the device where you can both see it.
- Say what you see and wonder aloud: "Oh, a waterfall! What can we hear?"
- Let your child lead the taps and choices.
- Agree on the finish before you start: "Two stories, then we dance."
- Close with a calm activity, such as belly breathing or a drawing.
If you only have a few minutes, try a short plan: one story block, one movement break and one quiet moment. For a gentle finish before bed, the Story Extender can build a short wind-down routine.
If you have concerns about your child's development or sleep, please talk with a qualified professional.
