Screen Time for Preschoolers: How Much Is Right?

Most parents want to know one thing about screen time for preschoolers: how much is too much? The World Health Organization gives a clear answer for children aged 3–4, and there are simple ways to make the time your child does spend on a screen shorter, more active and more useful. This guide covers both.

How much screen time is recommended for preschoolers?

The WHO guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 recommend that children aged 3–4 have no more than 1 hour of sedentary screen time a day, and less is better. Sedentary screen time means sitting still while watching TV or videos or playing on a device.

The same guidelines look at the whole day, not only screens. For children aged 3–4 they recommend:

In practice, this means screens should take a small place in a day that is mostly play, movement, reading and sleep.

Not all screen time is the same

The WHO limit is about total sedentary time. Within that limit, how the time is used also matters to parents:

• Passive vs. active. Watching videos one after another is passive. Activities where your child has to think, answer, count or choose ask for more attention.
• Alone vs. together. When you sit with your child, talk about what is on the screen and connect it to real life, screen time becomes a conversation.
• Endless vs. finished. Content with a clear end point (a short lesson or a game round) is easier to stop than autoplay.

How to make screen time healthier

1. Set a routine. Decide when screens happen, for example one short session after dinner, instead of negotiating every time.
2. Keep sessions short. Ten to fifteen minutes is enough for most learning activities at this age.
3. Sit together. Ask questions: "What letter is that? How many stars can you see?"
4. Choose content with an end. Prefer short lessons and games over autoplay videos.
5. Keep screens out of bedtime. Protect the 10–13 hours of sleep WHO recommends.
6. Balance it with movement. After a screen session, go outside, dance or build something together.

What to look for in a learning app for preschoolers

If you use an app, look for one that:

• is designed for your child's age group,
• has short activities with a clear finish,
• asks your child to do something, not only watch,
• covers skills they will need at school, such as early math, letters and simple logic, and
• lets you see what your child has practiced.

For a list of the skills worth practicing before school, see our kindergarten readiness checklist.

How Biibo Kids fits in

Biibo Kids is a learning app for children aged 3–6. It is designed around games, animation and interactive activities rather than passive viewing, and covers math, Vietnamese, English, science, logic and life skills. The goal is short, purposeful sessions that fit inside a healthy day, not more time on screens.

Have a question about Biibo Kids? Send it through the contact form on the Biibo homepage and our team will get back to you.

Summary

For preschoolers aged 3–4, WHO recommends no more than 1 hour of sedentary screen time a day, with plenty of active play and sleep. Keep sessions short, sit with your child, choose content with a clear end, and balance screens with movement.