Podcast Summary: "What Can I Do Instead of Screens? Is That Even Possible? Part 3 of 3 - Ep 108"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Talking Toddlers
• Host: Erin Hyer
• Episode: What Can I Do Instead of Screens? Is That Even Possible? Part 3 of 3 - Ep 108
• Release Date: June 17, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 108 of Talking Toddlers, titled "What Can I Do Instead of Screens? Is That Even Possible? Part 3 of 3," Erin Hyer delves deep into practical strategies for parents aiming to reduce their toddlers' screen time. Building upon the discussions from the first two parts of the series, this episode serves as a comprehensive guide, offering actionable alternatives to digital distractions that foster healthy development in young children.

Recap of the Series

Erin begins by briefly revisiting the key points from the previous episodes:

• Part 1: Highlighted the cultural shift towards increased screen exposure and its impact on reducing opportunities for real-world play and face-to-face interactions.
• Part 2: Focused on setting screen boundaries, addressing parental guilt, and emphasizing long-term developmental goals over immediate convenience.

The Problem with Screens

Erin emphasizes the detrimental effects of screen time on toddlers' development:

"No app, no cartoon, no video was ever designed with your toddler's healthy development as a target or as a goal." (00:00)

She argues that screens are primarily designed to capture attention and distract children from their surroundings, thereby hindering essential sensory and cognitive development.

Introducing Screen-Free Alternatives

Transitioning from identifying the problem, Erin presents a robust list of 19 screen-free activities, divided into two categories:

1. Top 10 Real-Life Activities
2. 9 Additional Engaging Games

These activities are rooted in early child development principles, aiming to boost sensory input, motor skills, language acquisition, and emotional regulation.

Top 10 Real-Life Activities

1. Sensory Bins (07:30)

   • Description: Fill a shallow bin with materials like dried rice or beans. Include small scoops, cups, or toys for exploration.
   • Benefits: Enhances fine motor skills, attention span, and imaginative play.

2. Water Painting (12:45)

   • Description: Provide toddlers with paintbrushes and a bucket of water to "paint" surfaces like fences or sidewalks.
   • Benefits: Encourages creativity without the mess of actual paint and allows for active engagement.

3. Cardboard Box Play (18:10)

   • Description: Transform cardboard boxes into rockets, forts, or cars using markers and stickers.
   • Benefits: Fosters creativity, problem-solving, and spatial awareness.

4. Dance Party with Homemade Instruments (24:00)

   • Description: Create simple instruments using pots, spoons, or shakers and have a family dance session.
   • Benefits: Builds rhythm, coordination, and emotional expression.

5. Backyard Treasure Hunt (30:20)

   • Description: Hide small items in the yard and guide toddlers to find them using simple clues.
   • Benefits: Enhances listening skills, following directions, and gross motor development.

6. Busy Boards (36:15)

   • Description: Set up boards with zippers, Velcro, and latches for toddlers to explore.
   • Benefits: Improves fine motor skills, problem-solving, and independence.

7. Water Play Station (42:00)

   • Description: Use bowls or tubs with water and cups for pouring and splashing activities.
   • Benefits: Teaches concepts like volume, hand-eye coordination, and sensory exploration.

8. Building with Blocks and Recyclables (47:50)

   • Description: Provide various blocks and recyclable materials for construction play.
   • Benefits: Develops spatial awareness, patience, and language skills.

9. Outdoor Scavenger Hunt (53:30)

   • Description: Create simple lists or pictures of items to find outdoors, such as different leaves or rocks.
   • Benefits: Promotes observation, vocabulary building, and environmental awareness.

10. Puppet Shows or Dramatic Play (59:10)

    • Description: Use socks or stuffed animals to create simple stories and performances.
    • Benefits: Enhances expressive language, sequencing, and emotional regulation.

9 Additional Engaging Games

1. Name that Tune (64:25)

   • Description: Hum familiar melodies and have toddlers guess the song.
   • Benefits: Boosts auditory memory, attention, and rhythm recognition.

2. What's Missing (70:40)

   • Description: Place small items on a table, cover them, remove one, and have toddlers identify the missing object.
   • Benefits: Enhances attention to detail, memory, and vocabulary.

3. Who Am I? (76:55)

   • Description: Describe an animal with specific traits for toddlers to guess.
   • Benefits: Encourages categorization, expressive and receptive language skills.

4. Touch Something That Is... (83:15)

   • Description: Ask toddlers to find objects based on sensory descriptions like texture or color.
   • Benefits: Develops sensory awareness and vocabulary.

5. Shape Hunt (89:30)

   • Description: Identify and find specific shapes within the environment.
   • Benefits: Teaches shape recognition, sorting, and spatial understanding.

6. I Spy (95:45)

   • Description: Engage in the classic game of "I Spy" using colors, textures, or sounds.
   • Benefits: Enhances situational awareness, language skills, and attention.

7. What's Different/Odd Man Out (102:00)

   • Description: Present a group of similar objects with one differing item for toddlers to identify.
   • Benefits: Promotes visual discrimination and language processing.

8. Simple Riddles (108:15)

   • Description: Pose age-appropriate riddles or clues for toddlers to solve.
   • Benefits: Encourages abstract thinking, language skills, and memory.

9. Hidden in the Hand (114:30)

   • Description: Hide an object in one hand and have toddlers guess which hand it's in.
   • Benefits: Teaches object permanence and fine motor coordination.

Practical Implementation and Handouts

Erin provides a downloadable handout containing the full list of 19 activities, enabling parents to easily access and implement these strategies. She encourages parents to personalize these activities to fit their family's unique dynamics and their child's interests.

"These activities literally build your brain. They're things that I have done probably thousands of times now as a therapist." (06:50)

Creating a Playful Environment

Erin emphasizes the importance of imagination and real-world interactions in fostering a toddler’s development:

"Instead of your toddler glued to a screen... you have many natural routines that your child actually looks forward to, building independence and engagement." (22:15)

She advocates for using everyday activities as learning opportunities, such as sorting laundry or sweeping the floor, to integrate learning seamlessly into daily life.

Overcoming Challenges

Acknowledging the modern challenges of screen dependency, Erin reassures parents that reducing screen time is achievable with consistent effort:

"You don't need fancy toys... just a few little handy dandy tools that you probably have in your home right now and some clear direction." (35:00)

She also addresses parental guilt, encouraging a gradual shift rather than an overnight overhaul:

"You don't have to be perfect. You just need to be in it with them." (112:20)

Building Long-Term Benefits

Erin highlights the long-term advantages of screen-free activities, including improved language skills, emotional regulation, and stronger parent-child bonds. She shares success stories of families who have successfully implemented these strategies, leading to calmer, more communicative, and engaged children.

"When we replace digital noise with real relationship connection noise... we're giving your child's brains the opportunity to grow and blossom." (129:00)

Conclusion and Call to Action

Erin wraps up the episode by encouraging parents to commit to at least one or two of the suggested activities:

"Pick one or two actionable steps and swap them out, hopefully get rid of all the screen moments, right? And just shift it into these screen-free activities." (155:00)

She offers a "tiny challenge" for parents seeking personalized support:

"Consider my tiny challenge. It's an opportunity to work one-on-one with me for just five days, where we pick one thing that you're struggling with." (149:30)

Erin reassures parents that it's never too late to make positive changes:

"If you have a baby or a toddler, you're not behind, you're not too late." (152:10)

By fostering an environment rich in real-world interactions and playful learning, Erin Hyer empowers parents to nurture their toddlers' development effectively without relying on screens.

Join Erin Hyer every Tuesday on Talking Toddlers for more insights, practical guidance, and inspiring discussions to help your child thrive.