A written policy on healthy screen time* shows that a facility knows what’s best for young children’s brains and bodies. Written policies help the facility communicate values and expectations clearly with families and staff.
Policy documentation
In your REACH Screen Time application, you will upload documentation of meeting the policy evidence-based practice along with limiting screen time, teacher engagement with screen time, and family engagement around screen time guidance.
| REACH Application Documentation | Go NAPSACC Evidence-Based Practice |
| The section of the facility’s family and/or staff handbook that shows their commitment to healthy screen time*, by covering all of the applicable best practices below: -preschool and mixed aged classes (FCCH) are offered 30 minutes or less of screen time or no screen time each week -no screen time is offered to children under three years of age -when screen time is offered, the programming is always educational and developmentally appropriate -when screen time is offered, teachers always talk with children about what they are seeing and learning -teachers and staff limit their own personal screen time to breaks and/or time away from children | ST 13 There is a written policy on screen time that includes a variety of topics related to the program’s screen time practices and communicating screen time recommendations to teachers, staff, and families. |
*Screen time includes any time spent watching shows or videos or playing games or doing other activities on a screen. Screens can include televisions; desktop, laptop, or tablet computers; or smart phones. Screen time does not include teachers using e-books or tablet computers to read children stories, using Smart Boards for interactive instruction, or real time, interactive instruction or family engagement through Zoom or other videoconferencing programs.
Tips for your policy documentation:
- Policy covers all of the applicable topics outlined above about screen time availability, type of programming, teacher engagement, and teacher role modeling. If a facility does not offer screen time, they do not need to mention the types of screen media or teacher engagement with learning around screen media.
- Policy is currently in use and has been reviewed/updated in the past 12 months.
- Only one file is needed if it covers all of the topics outlined above, but two can be provided, for example if expectations around teachers/staff screen time are included in the staff handbook.
Example documentation:
The example below meets the requirements for this documentation. An editable version of a similar policy example can be found in the Go NAPSACC Screen Time Tips & Materials library under Policy. That version should be edited to include expectations for teachers/staff limiting their own screen time.
REACH Recognition 
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