When do you let your 4/5 year old have screen time?

[Ikeepontrying]

My 4 year old used to have his iPad for kids YouTube most mealtimes but I took it off him. I've decided to reintroduce it just for certain times but wondering if I'm better giving it him after dinner or during to keep him seated longer. He struggles to sit still!

What do others do? iPad or no iPad?

I wouldn’t give it to him with food.

Definitely not during meal times. He should be eating. If he can’t sit still and eat at that age, then I’d say he’s not hungry and I’d end meal time.

My 5 year old watches tv in the morning before school if we have time and then when he wants between coming home and dinner. Mostly he’d prefer to be outside, so it’s not every day. But definitely not at dinner and not after as it’s time then for bath and bed.

Never at mealtimes, we have a device-free rule for mealtimes for all of us.

I would say afternoon, maybe after school to wind down a bit? Ideally you shouldn't have screens around 1 hour before bedtimes.

After school for a bit before tea. Sometimes a film at the weekend. Absolutely not with food or before bed.

DS will go down in the mornings and put the TV on, so he has it from when he wakes up until DH and I are awake and downstairs. Then he might watch when he gets home from nursery, if he's feeling tired.

Mine have screens during mealtimes as it means they eat more and they are underweight. Do what is right for your kids

Just at weekends. Seems enough for our DS.