Explore research and guidance about screen use in early childhood.
Five Tips to Make the Most of Video Chats
Key Takeaways
- Sing songs, read books or play simple games during video chats to help babies and toddlers stay engaged and connected.
- Use props, gestures and facial expressions to make the interaction feel more natural and interactive for young children.
- Keep calls short and flexible, and help children understand delays or frozen screens by explaining what’s happening in simple language.
Here are 5 tips to make the most of video chats. Help children build relationships and communicate with loved ones on FaceTime or Skype.
When young children and loved ones are far apart—whether because of military deployment, travel or living in different places—video chats can help keep relationships strong. Seeing a familiar face, hearing a loved one’s voice, and sharing simple moments together can help children stay connected.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes video chatting as a positive way for even very young children to connect with loved ones from a distance.
Make it a social, interactive experience.
Try rhymes, songs, dancing, finger plays, and games like peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek that young children can participate in and enjoy with their screen partner.
Use props.
Encourage the screen partner to read one of the child’s favorite books, as the child follows along with his own copy. Or, the video partner can play with a toy car while the child rolls her toy car. Puppets and stuffed animals also are great props for playing together virtually. Also, sharing a snack together is a favorite of young children.
Be the “hands and heart” of the the person on-screen.
When the screen partner “tickles” your baby’s tummy, give your child’s tummy a tickle, too. When a grandparent leans toward the screen to “kiss” your toddler, you can give him a kiss on the cheek. By taking this role, you help nurture the relationship between the child and their on-screen friend.
Explain any technical difficulties.
Tell the child why the call dropped, or why the video partner may appear to “freeze” on the screen or not be looking directly at her. Explaining these experiences in simple terms helps children better understand both the technology and the interaction. It can also help screen partners adjust factors on their side (like the angle of their webcam) to improve the video chat.
Let children take the lead with the technology as they grow.
For example, toddlers can learn how to touch the green button to call or red button to hang up.
