Start in the media world

Screens are part of our everyday lives today. Children come into contact with them from an early age - whether on the subway, at the paediatrician or through their parents' cell phones. But when can children start looking at something? What is good for your child? And what should parents look out for? This article provides answers to many questions about starting out with media and shows how you can support your toddler sensibly as they enter the world of media.

Children under the age of three should spend as little time as possible in front of screens. Although they find moving images exciting, they often do not yet understand them properly. For babies and toddlers, media are primarily stimuli that can also be overwhelming.

And if media is used earlier? No need for a guilty conscience! Short video calls with grandma, a family video from a vacation or a short story are fine - as long as they remain the exception and the duration is limited.

From around three years of age, children are usually ready to follow simple stories. Important: Every child develops differently. Pay attention to how your child reacts - if it is overwhelmed or restless, you should take a break.

The younger the child, the more important it is to choose carefully, as unsuitable products can quickly overwhelm them. Parents can pay attention to the following:

• Short and manageable: videos of 1 to 5 minutes are ideal
• Calm images - simple shapes, colors not too garish and intrusive
• Simple language or even no words at all
• Slow narrative pace, no fast-paced scenes, few characters
• Simple plot with a good ending
• Familiar characters from books are particularly suitable as an introduction (e.g. The Raiders). e.g. The Caterpillar Nimmersatt, Bobo Siebenschläfer)

Tip: Less is more! Young children don't need a lot of choice, they love repetition. This allows them to (re)discover familiar things and better understand and process what they have seen.

Media education doesn't just start with the first video - it helps to ask yourself beforehand: What suits our everyday family life? What is my own attitude and what do I want to convey to my child?

Clear rules also make things easier - at the latest when media is used regularly. Children need guidance: when, for how long and what can they watch?

At the beginning, it's best to watch together, as this benefits young children the most. Parents can name things, explain them or calm them down if something gets too exciting. When media experiences are accompanied by language, this promotes language development and the child's mental development in general.

And don't forget: Children learn by imitation. It is therefore worth making them aware of their own habits and putting the smartphone aside more often. After all, young children need caregivers who teach them about the world, respond to their needs, talk to them and play with them - without constantly looking at their smartphone.

The screen goes off - and your child is angry? This can happen because children first have to learn how to deal with disappointment and strong feelings. Toddlers perceive the many images and sounds very intensely. They first have to learn to process the impressions. Sometimes, however, tantrums are also a sign of being overwhelmed. Then it makes sense to look for calmer or shorter content.

This can be helpful during tantrums:

• Cuddling
• Playing, romping or painting
• or simply being patient

Important: Don't scold or punish out of anger. It's better to calmly explain why it's over now.