Screens are part of modern family life, and conversations about babies and screen time can quickly
become overwhelming. There are recommendations, research findings, strong opinions… and, of
course, the very real experience of parenting a baby while tired, stretched thin, or simply trying to get
through the day.

As a Montessori educator, child development specialist, and mom, I want to offer a different kind of
conversation: one grounded in how babies learn, informed by current guidance, and free from shame.
The goal is not to become a “perfect” Montessori parent. It is to make thoughtful choices that support
your baby and work for your family.

Babies learn with their whole bodies

Maria Montessori wrote in The Absorbent Mind, “The child has a different relation to his environment
from ours. The child absorbs it.” This idea is central to understanding early development. Babies do
not simply watch the world; they experience it through movement, touch, sound, sight, relationships,
and repeated exploration.

Imagine your baby reaching for a wooden spoon. They feel its texture, turn it in their hands, perhaps
bring it to their mouth, and drop it to hear the sound it makes. What looks like a tiny moment is actually
rich with sensory and motor learning.

The same is true of your interactions. When your baby babbles and you respond, or when you
exchange smiles and gestures, you are engaging in “serve and return”: a responsive back-and-forth
that helps build the foundations for communication, relationships, and brain development.

What do screen time recommendations say?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has traditionally advised avoiding most screen media for
children younger than 18 months, apart from video chatting. For children around 18-24 months, its
guidance has emphasized choosing high-quality content and watching together if families introduce
media. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends no sedentary screen time for children
younger than two.

These recommendations are useful starting points, but the conversation is more nuanced than a
single number of minutes. The age of the child, the content, the way a screen is used, whether an
adult participates, and what screen use may replace all matter. Research continues to evolve,
particularly around newer devices and long-term outcomes.

Video chatting is a meaningful distinction. A FaceTime call with a grandparent or a friend can involve
real-time responses, familiar voices, and shared connection, especially when you are alongside your baby helping them participate. For families whose loved ones live far away, that can be a beautiful way to nurture relationships.

Not all screen experiences are the same

A phone or tablet held close to a child is a different experience from a television in the background or
a movie watched together on the couch. Fast-paced, attention-grabbing videos are also different from
a slower, calmer program. That does not mean we can confidently predict the effect of every show or
device; it means context deserves attention.

If you decide to introduce a show to your older baby or toddler, consider something gentle and age-
appropriate. Whenever possible, sit together, name what you see, and reconnect afterward through
conversation or play. And remember: even educational media should not be a substitute for hands-on
exploration and responsive human interaction.

A Montessori approach that makes room for real life

My preference is to keep screens limited in infancy and to prioritize movement, exploration, and
connection. But I also know what it feels like to be an exhausted parent. Sometimes a brief, intentional
screen-time break can help a caregiver rest and return to the day with more capacity to be present.

I have had seasons when the television stayed off for days or weeks. I have also had difficult stretches
of little sleep when I put on a calm show for 10 or 15 minutes while I rested next to them. Those moments
did not erase all the other ways I was nurturing my son’s development.

This is not a claim that screen time is developmentally beneficial in itself. It is a reminder that
caregiving happens within a larger family context. If you need support, rest, or a pause, your needs
matter too. If that pause allows you to be more connected the rest of the day, then my professional opinion is that far outweighs the idea of being too exhausted to connect or respond to your baby.

Every family has a different support system. Perhaps grandparents live with you, or you have a nanny or au pair and the screen can be totally avoided. If so then wonderful! But if not and you need those few minutes, please just know that the rest of the time where you’re connected, responding, and giving baby that whole-child experience matters so much more.

Montessori asks us to observe… not only our children, but the reality of our home and what helps our family function well.

The heart of Montessori is connection, not perfection

Montessori is sometimes presented as a long list of things to buy, activities to prepare, or rules to
follow. But the heart of the approach is much simpler: observe your child, respect their capabilities,
prepare an environment that supports exploration, and make space for meaningful participation in
everyday life.

Your baby does not need an elaborate playroom to thrive. They need opportunities to move,
investigate, communicate, and connect with the people who love them. And you do not need to get
every decision right to be a thoughtful, responsive parent.

Take what resonates, try it in your own home, notice what works, and adjust as you go. Parenthood is
a transition; messy, beautiful, and deeply human. Montessori can be a supportive lens through it, not
another standard to measure yourself against.

Keep learning with Montessori Babies

This post is adapted from Season 3, Episode 1 of the Montessori Babies Podcast, “Screen Time and
Baby Development.” In the episode, I explore the research, the Montessori perspective, and practical
ways to support your baby’s development through everyday experiences.

For more support, explore my free Montessori guide and the Montessori Babies Course, designed to
help you nurture your baby’s development while finding confidence in your own parenting journey. You
can also follow me @babytourguide on Instagram and TikTok for more accessible Montessori ideas.

A note on guidance: Pediatric media recommendations evolve. For current age-specific advice, consult the
American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization.