Growing Up Digital: What Early Educators Need to Know

If you are employed in a state that uses a registry to track professional development hours, you will be able to provide your registry ID (Stars, MOPID, Registry or other ECE ID#) after you have completed the quiz for the course. If you pass the quiz we will report your course completion to the state registry using the registry ID that you provide.

Examine how screen dependency and fast-paced digital content can affect young children’s development, behavior, self-regulation, play, and social engagement. Designed for early childhood educators, this course provides practical, developmentally appropriate strategies for reducing screen reliance and supporting healthy habits. Participants will explore real-world examples and communication tools they can use to guide children and partner with families. Apply these strategies to promote emotional regulation, meaningful play, positive social interactions, and consistent screen practices across home and early childhood settings. Course length – 3.0 hours.

Participants who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Identify at least four areas of development and three behavioral or emotional indicators that may be affected by excessive media exposure, with 80% accuracy on the course assessment.

• Select at least three developmentally appropriate strategies that promote self-regulation and engagement in a screen-limited classroom.

• Develop a relationship-based response plan that includes at least three strategies for supporting a child experiencing media-related emotional dysregulation.