Janet’s data is statistically accurate, you only have anecdotical data of one female child. I have researched this topic extensively because my 2 yo had severe issues that rapidly started disappearing after I eliminated screens, and I have found that screens do more harm than good and some children thrive in spite of the exposure, not because of it. Try eliminating screens from your child’s life for a month and come tell me afterwards that she is worse off after weaning her off. I would be astounded if you do.

I wholeheartedly believe in gentle patenting and REI. I follow it to the best of my ability while I single handedly homeschool my 5yo daughter. My intent in the following is not to be boastful, as i am a spiritual man, but rather to paint a picture of my situation.

My daughter is gregarious, thoughtful, compassionate, seldom angry, very well spoken, can track and identify most local species of fauna and some flora and most worldly species and dinosaurs. She downhill skied at 1.5yo, rode her bike without training wheels at 3.5yo, and can swim 50meters without help or floatation device.

She doesn’t know her ABC’s or numbers very well, or how to read or write much.

WRT screentime, i have to disagree with the sentiment of this interview and topic, as screentime has been a major part of my 5yo’s life. I have shown her age appropriate educational shows and themes since she was 3mnths old (slow moving shapes and colours), then baby Einstein type shows, skiing, bicycling swimming and now science and space geared shows. The caveat is that I watched with her and explained to her anything that seemed not understood. And made sure there were no commercials or skipped over them.

I feel for the first time since following your teachings, that there is a crack that somehow isn’t been discussed. I’m sure I read in Gentle Parenting theories that mindful screentime is okay. As my child has shown me, her cohorts, adults and psychologist.

My one question to you and myself is; as I allow her to follow her own interests, am I failing my 5yo by not providing western civilization life skills (RRR’s)?