How to Balance Screen Time and Story time in a Digital Age

hello904033
Feb 3
2 min read

Screens are replacing the moments that truly matter. One minute, your toddler is babbling away, showing you their favourite toy, or pulling at your hand to play. The next, they’re silent, eyes locked on a screen, lost in an endless stream of cartoons and flashing colours.

We’re not here to say screens are bad. They have their place. But when they start replacing books, conversations, and simple moments of connection, it’s a problem. And it’s happening earlier than most parents realise.

What’s Happening to Kids Aged 1-4?

By the age of two, 90% of Australian children are using screens daily (Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2023). Many spend up to 2-3 hours a day on devices. At this age, brains are developing rapidly, and too much screen time has been linked to delayed speech, shorter attention spans, and weaker social skills (Raising Children Network, 2023).

Meanwhile, reading—even just 15 minutes a day—has been proven to boost language skills, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. But more importantly? Books create moments of real connection that screens never will.

How to Make Books More Appealing Than Screens?

Toddlers love screens because they’re engaging, colourful, and interactive. So instead of trying to fight technology, make books just as fun.

Choose Books That Match Their Interests

Toddlers love what you love. A book about footy makes sense if dad plays on weekends. A book about tools makes sense if dad’s a tradie. When kids see their dad’s excitement, they feed off it.

Make It Part of Their Routine (Without a Fight)

Telling a toddler to “put the iPad down and read” is a battle no one wants. Instead:

Read while they’re snuggled up after bath time.
Let them pick the book - they’ll feel in control.
Make bedtime stories a non-negotiable part of the night.

Toddlers love predictability. If reading happens at the same time every day, it becomes something they expect and look forward to.

Let Them Take the Lead

Reading to a 1–4 year old isn’t about finishing the book, it’s about making it an experience. Let them turn the pages. Let them point at the pictures. Let them say the words they recognise. The more involved they feel, the more they’ll want to do it.

Why Story time Matters More Than Ever

No toddler will remember the YouTube or TikTok videos they watched. But they will remember the books dad read to them. The ones about cars, tools, boats—the ones where story time wasn’t just about words, but about sharing something real together.

Screens aren’t going anywhere. But that time to connect? That disappears fast.

Looking for the right book to get started?

Daddy’s Book Club ABC books help toddlers connect with dad through the things he loves—whether it’s footy, cars, or the tools of his trade. Because when books are personal, kids listen. Don't see a book for your Dad? - send in a request at www.daddysbookclub.com/contact