ECDA has outlined the following new requirements on screen use in Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDCs) in the revised COP, which effects from 1 February 2025:

1. No screen time in the care of and interaction with infants aged 2 to 18 months old.

2. For children above 18 months old to 6 years old, screen time shall be limited to teaching and learning purposes, which support programme goals, objectives, and learning outcomes.  Centres must not screen videos, movies or any digital content to occupy children during non-programme hours or periods of transition.

As for the EYDF Educators’ Guide, ECDCs and educators are guided to provide meaningful experiences that promote children’s overall well-being, learning, and development over sedentary activities such as screen time and other activities involving prolonged periods of sitting down. The Guide also specified that there should be no screen use for children below 18 months and for children older than 18 months, screen time should incorporate opportunities for interactions, engagement and thinking, rather than being used merely to occupy or distract them. These will be incorporated in the Educators’ Guide by March 2025.