Lesson 1 of 6 · 8 min
Your first screen-free moment
Goal: Plan what comes next before the screen goes off
It's 6.30pm. You're stir-frying with one hand, and the tablet is propped up on the sofa. When you call out "Okay, time's up," your four-year-old screams as if you've taken away something precious. Tonight you just want to cook without a fight.
This lesson helps you plan one switch-off so it goes more smoothly.
What the guidance says. Current Singapore guidance for children aged 18 months to 6 years is less than 1 hour of screen use a day outside school. Keep screens away from meals and the hour before bedtime. When your child does use a screen, choose age-appropriate content and watch together.
This course isn't about banning technology. It's about making screen time easier to manage.
Plan the next thing first. Switching off is easier when you already know what comes next. Pick one moment you can change, like the wait before dinner. Get a simple activity ready before the screen goes off.
Your child may still protest. That doesn't mean the plan has failed.
Your first switch-off, in five steps
- Pick one moment to make screen-free, like meals or the hour before bed.
- Get an activity ready before that moment.
- Tell your child how it will end and what comes next.
- Switch off when you said you would, and say you understand they're disappointed.
- Help them start the next activity. Don't expect long play on their own straight away.
What to say
Switching off before dinner
Say
- The screen is finished. Next is drawing at this table.
- You wanted more. I'll help you start the first picture.
- I'm cooking right here, where I can see you.
Avoid
- You're addicted to that thing.
- Stop crying or there'll be no more screen, ever.
What would you do?
The show ends and Jun Hao, three, wails, "One more! One more!" You're tired and the rice isn't even on yet. What do you do?
Switch off as planned, and help him start the drawing
He's sad, and that's okay. You kept the limit and gave him somewhere to go next. A short "You wanted more. Let's draw" covers both.
Let him watch one more episode so you can cook
Very understandable when dinner is late. But each extra episode makes the ending less clear, so the next switch-off has more to push against. Keep the ending, and stay close for the first few minutes of drawing.
Explain why too much screen time isn't good for him
You want him to understand, which makes sense. But a protesting three-year-old can't take in reasons. One short line and a ready activity work better. Save the why for a calm moment.
Quick check
What is the current Singapore guidance for children aged 18 months to 6 years?
Show the answer
Less than 1 hour of screen use a day outside school
HealthHub gives this outside-school guidance for this age group. Educational shows still count towards it.
Quick check
What's a realistic goal for this course?
Show the answer
You can plan and carry out calmer screen routines
This course is about what you can plan and do. Your child may still ask, and that's okay.
Your private note
Saved on this device only. We never see it.
What the rest of the course covers
- Lesson 2: work out what a screen request may really mean.
- Lesson 3: change a routine step by step, with grandparents and your helper on board.
- Lesson 4: safe, low-prep swaps for home, the clinic and the MRT.
- Lesson 5: help play get started, and model the habits yourself.
- Lesson 6: choose shows, watch together, and get back on track after a disrupted week.
Remember
Decide what comes next before the screen goes off.
Try this week
For 3 days, get the next activity ready before you switch off at the same moment each day.
Sources
- Parent Hub: screen use (opens in a new tab), HealthHub, Health Promotion Board; Ministry of Health guidance. Checked 19 October 2026.
- MindSG: helping our child manage emotions (opens in a new tab), HealthHub, Health Promotion Board. Checked 19 October 2026.