What is Co-Viewing?
A Guide for Parents on Healthy Screen Time and Engagement
In today's digital age, screens have become a part of daily life, even for young children. While screen time often gets a bad reputation, the key to using it effectively lies in how it’s used. One of the best strategies for healthy screen time is co-viewing, a method that transforms passive screen time into an interactive, educational experience.
What is Co-Viewing?
Co-viewing refers to the practice of watching, playing, or engaging with digital content alongside your child. Rather than leaving your child alone with a screen, co-viewing means you are present, helping to guide the experience and interact with them as they watch.
The goal is to use screen time as an opportunity to:
Spark conversations about what they see.
Teach new concepts in a fun and relatable way.
Encourage critical thinking and emotional understanding.
Create bonding moments through shared interests and experiences.
This approach helps avoid the trap of screens being used as a "digital babysitter" and instead leverages technology as a tool for learning and connection.
Why Co-Viewing is Important
Boosts Learning: Interactive screen time is more effective for learning than passive consumption.
Encourages Social Skills: Talking about what you’re watching helps kids develop communication and empathy.
Creates Context: You can clarify complex topics or relate screen content to real-life situations.
Builds Media Literacy: By co-viewing, you teach kids to think critically about what they watch.
Co-Viewing Strategies for Different Age Ranges
Toddlers (1-3 years old)
At this age, kids are just beginning to explore the world and understand basic concepts. Choose simple, age-appropriate content and stay actively engaged.
Examples:
Watch "Sesame Street" and sing along to songs, pointing out numbers, letters, and shapes.
Play interactive games like "Peekaboo Barn" together, narrating the animals and sounds.
Use apps like "Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn", encouraging them to tap and explore while naming colors and objects aloud.
Tips:
Pause the show or app to ask simple questions like, “What color is that ball?” or “Do you see the dog?”
Reinforce learning by relating screen content to real life, such as counting objects in the room after watching a counting video.
Preschoolers (3-5 years old)
Preschoolers are developing their language and problem-solving skills. Co-viewing at this stage can involve asking open-ended questions and encouraging storytelling.
Examples:
Watch "Bluey" and discuss the characters’ emotions: “How do you think Bluey feels? What would you do in that situation?”
Play educational games like "Endless Alphabet", helping them sound out letters and words.
Explore science with shows like "Dino Dana" and then talk about different types of dinosaurs.
Tips:
Repeat and reinforce new vocabulary words or concepts from the show during daily activities.
Encourage pretend play based on what they’ve watched (e.g., acting out scenes with toys).
School-Aged Children (6-10 years old)
Older kids benefit from more complex discussions and activities that promote critical thinking. Use co-viewing as an opportunity to dive deeper into subjects and connect screen time with hands-on learning.
Examples:
Watch documentaries like "The Magic School Bus Rides Again" or "Wild Kratts" and discuss the science topics covered.
Play collaborative video games like Minecraft Education Edition, building worlds and solving problems together.
Explore creative apps like Scratch Jr. to code simple animations.
Tips:
Ask thought-provoking questions like, “Why do you think that happened?” or “What would you do differently?”
Encourage follow-up activities, such as creating a craft or writing a short story inspired by what they watched.
Co-Viewing: Key Practices for Parents
Engage with Your Child: Ask questions, share your thoughts, and listen to their ideas.
Relate to Real Life: Link on-screen experiences to everyday activities. For example, after watching a nature show, go on a walk and identify similar plants or animals.
Set Limits: Balance screen time with other activities like outdoor play, reading, or family games.
Be Selective: Choose high-quality, educational content that aligns with your child’s developmental stage.
Model Positive Behavior: Show interest and curiosity about the content, and avoid multitasking on your own devices during co-viewing.
Final Thoughts
Co-viewing is a powerful way to make screen time meaningful, educational, and engaging. By watching and interacting with your child, you turn passive consumption into an enriching experience that fosters learning and connection.
When you approach screens as tools rather than distractions, you create countless opportunities for conversation, creativity, and growth. With co-viewing, the screen becomes a bridge to learning and shared moments, rather than a barrier to connection.
So, the next time you turn on the TV or open an app with your child, sit down together, talk about what you see, and turn screen time into a meaningful family activity.
How We Can Help
At Utter Success Speech Services, we understand that screen time can be an excellent tool for supporting your child’s speech and language development when used intentionally. We can guide you in selecting high-quality, educational content tailored to your child’s goals.
We offer strategies for:
Using screen time to expand your child’s vocabulary.
Encouraging interactive conversations to strengthen language skills.
Helping your child engage critically with media for improved communication and comprehension.
Whether in-person or online, we are here to support your child’s unique journey toward confident communication. Contact us or book a consultation today to learn how we can integrate co-viewing strategies into your child’s speech therapy plan!