Healthy screen use is about how long you spend on screens and what you use screens for. Your child is strongly influenced by the way you use screens and is likely to copy what you do. When you take a healthy and responsible approach to screen time, you set a powerful example for your child.

Healthy family screen use is using screens in ways that are good for your relationships and lifestyle.Family guidelines can help you achieve a healthy family relationship with screens.Look at role-modelling, keep your children's ages in mind, knowing your children as screen users, using good-quality media, negotiating rules, and sharing screen time.

Activities like talking, singing, reading, storytelling, drawing and writing all help to develop your child’s literacy.For babies and younger children, try activities like nursery rhymes, sound games, ‘I spy’, and books with rhyme, rhythm and repetition. As preschoolers reach school age, look for words in catalogs, billboards, signs and food items. Encourage your child to try writing words. And keep on reading!

Outdoor play is good for your child’s physical health, development and self-confidence. It’s great fun too!Encourage your child to play outside several times a day.Outdoor play ideas include tummy time, ball play, nature walks, bike rides and more.

Looking for words is a simple everyday literacy activity. Try it at home, looking for words on signs and labels. If you are able to take your child for a walk in the neighborhood or grocery shopping, do the activity there.

Reading and storytelling help your child’s development in many ways.Start with picture books that have rhyme and rhythm or that are about your child’s interests.Try to share at least one book with your child each day.

Play is good for toddler movement and motor skills development.Toddlers are naturally active, especially as they get better at climbing, running and jumping.Play ideas for toddler movement include music play, riding toys, outdoor play and more. Adaptations can help all toddlers, including those with disabilities, be active.

Toddlers develop imagination and creativity through play.You can expect lots of pretend play in the toddler years. It’s a great way for toddlers to learn.Play ideas to develop toddler imagination include reading, drawing, dress-ups, nature walks, treasure boxes, messy play and more.

Along with empathy and pride, children start feeling frustrated when they reach the toddler years. In fact, frustration is an emotion you’ll probably see a lot of at this age!

Reading, storytelling, talking and singing with your 12-18-month-old baby helps her learn about sounds, words and language.It’s good to read daily with your young toddler, let your baby choose books, read slowly, and give your child time to look at the pictures. Babies enjoy books with good rhyme, rhythm and repetition. Your baby might also like board books and textured books. See suggestions below.