How much screen time is too much for kids? And how does screen exposure really impact a child’s developing brain? In this episode of The Parent Thing Podcast, parent coach and Neuro-Somatic Intelligence practitioner Tarryn Bovia breaks down the neuroscience behind screen time and child development - without fear, guilt, or extreme rules. You’ll learn how technology affects emotional regulation, attention, nervous system health, and real-world social skills, and how to create a healthy, realistic balance between screens and connection in modern family life. This episode is designed for parents, caregivers, educators, and professionals working with children who want evidence-based insight paired with compassionate, practical strategies that actually work in real homes.
✔️ How the developing brain learns best in early childhood
✔️ What screen time does and does not impact
✔️ The difference between regulated vs dysregulated screen use
✔️ How screens affect the nervous system and emotional regulation
✔️ Why transitions off screens are so hard - and how to support them
✔️ Practical screen time boundaries that reduce meltdowns
✔️ How to balance technology with movement, play, and connection
✔️ How to release parenting guilt around screen use
Screen time and brain development
Child nervous system regulation
Emotional regulation in children
Neuro-somatic intelligence and parenting
Early childhood development
Technology and attention span
Parenting in a digital age
Real-world play vs digital stimulation
Conscious and responsive parenting
This episode is especially helpful for:
Parents of toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children
Families navigating screen time in Europe, the UK, the US, and globally
Homeschooling parents and expat families
Teachers, childcare providers, and early childhood professionals
Coaches, therapists, and practitioners working with children and families
✨ Shift from counting screen hours to observing nervous system states
✨ Offer movement and connection before screen time
✨ Create predictable screen routines that feel safe for children
✨ Support smoother transitions off screens
✨ Parent with presence instead of pressure
Connect with Me
If this episode resonated with you or you’d like support navigating screen time and nervous system regulation in your family, I’d love to hear from you.
📧 Email: tarryn@theparentthing.com
📱 Instagram & TikTok: @theparentthing
If you know a parent, teacher, or caregiver who’s struggling with screen time guilt or confusion, please share this episode with them. Your share helps normalize these conversations and support families everywhere.