In January 2025, the Ministry of Health introduced stricter guidelines on screen time for children in Singapore to prevent developmental harm. Zero screen time is recommended for children younger than 18 months. Only less than 1 hour of screen time can be tolerated for those between 18 months to 6 years of age. However, screens are everywhere for children born in this generation. What are the drawbacks of too much screen time, with regards to speech and language development? We speak to two leading speech therapy experts in Singapore to find out.
Does Screen Time Actually Cause Speech and Language Delay?
Here is the honest truth – screen time threatens speech and language development, especially for children below two. It silently displaces real, responsive, back-and-forth human conversation, which is the crucial basis for language and communication development.
The type and context of screen use matter. “A child watching a screen alone is very different from a caregiver watching a short video clip with a child and then talking about it. The research on interactive co-viewing may be beneficiary. Passive consumption, especially in young children, is strongly discouraged,” Dr Phua Sin Yong of Speech Matters advised.
“The convenience of screens should not be used to replace real-life interaction. Children learn to communicate through connection — listening, watching, and responding to the people around them. A child who isn’t talked to enough, or engaged conversationally is at real risk of speech delay,” says Ms Meng Yi Yui of TLC Speech Clinic.
What Causes Speech and Language Delay in Children?
Biological and medical causes
- Hearing or attention difficulties
- Feeding or oral-motor challenges
- Neurobehavioural disorders (e.g. global developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder)
- Speech production disorders (e.g. articulation disorder, apraxia)
- Anatomic abnormalities (e.g. cleft lip, cleft palate)
Genetic factors
- A family history of late talking or reading difficulties (dyslexia)
Environmental and social factors
- Reduced opportunities for interaction and communication (sometimes due to high reliance on screens)
Every child is unique, which is why understanding the reason(s) behind the speech delay for each child is important.
When Should Parents be Concerned about Speech and Language Delay?
Speech delay refers to difficulty producing sounds and words (physical talking), while language delay refers to problems understanding others (receptive) or sharing thoughts and needs (expressive).
Parents should seek help when their child does not meet these milestones.
- No first words by 14-15 months, or use less than 50 words by 2 years old.
- A child should have at least 10-20 recognisable words by 18 months, respond to their name and follow simple instructions.
- By 24 months, most children are combining two words (“more milk”, “daddy go”).
- By 3 to 4 years, children should be using sentences, asking questions, and telling simple stories. A 4-year-old should be able to independently relate about what happened in school.
Early intervention makes an enormous difference. When in doubt, seek an evaluation.
Creating a Language-rich Environment at Home through Interaction
You do not need expensive toys and devices to improve your child’s language skills. Just be present, and allocate time to engage and play with your child.
- Talk during everyday tasks and routines, from bathtime to diaper change, meals, ride to preschool and even bedtime.
- “I’m putting your red shirt on. It’s soft, isn’t it?” “Now, the other arm. There, all done!”
- Read and share a book together every day, even for only 10 minutes.
- Reading promotes more parent talk, child talk and high-quality language interactions.
- Follow your child’s lead. When your child points at something, name it. Expand on what they say to entrich language interaction.
- If they say “dog”, you can say, “Yes, a big brown dog! He’s running fast.”
- Ask questions, instead of testing your child. Instead of “What colour is the bird?”, try “I wonder why that bird is singing”.
- Open-ended wondering invites language rather than demanding it.
You can also make screen time interactive by watching and talking about it together. Busy parents should still find the balance between screen time and quality interaction.
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Acknowledgement for Expert Perspectives
This article is brought to you in collaboration with Speech Matters Pte Ltd and TLC Speech Clinic, two top speech therapy clinics in Singapore dedicated to helping children with speech and language needs.
Speech Matters Pte Ltd
Locations:
Scotts Road (Main Clinic)
15 Scotts Road, #09-11 Thong Teck Building, Singapore 228218
Farrer Road
Block 3 Farrer Road #02-165, Singapore 260003
East Coast Road
217 East Coast Road #02-08, Singapore 428915
Specialisation:
One of Singapore’s most experienced speech therapy practices, Speech Matters has been providing speech therapy to children and adults in Singapore with proven results for more than 20 years. Founded in February 2006 by Dr Phua Sin Yong, Speech Matters has grown into one of Singapore’s most trusted practices, serving over 2,000 individuals and families.
Speech Matter encompasses a team of therapists who are registered with the Allied Health Professions Council of Singapore (AHPC), and are at least Masters-qualified and committed to evidence-based, family-centred practice.
All members of the paediatric team at Speech Matters hold the Hanen certification, a rigorous, internationally recognised qualification in family-centered language intervention.
Envisioning a practice where clinical rigour and genuine human warmth comes together, Dr Phua is also a regular speaker at international conferences and active contributor to the advancement of the speech therapy practice in the Asia-Pacific region. Dr Phua was a Public Service Commission (PSC) Overseas Merit Scholar and is now an Adjunct Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Speech Matters has three clinics in Singapore, and also offers home visits and tele-therapy.
Book a consultation or assessment here. Visit speechmatters.com.sg to find out more about the range of services. Speech Matters is also reachable on Whatsapp and phone at +65 9627 5189.
TLC Speech Clinic
Locations:
TLC Speech & Feeding Clinic
557 Bukit Timah Road
Crown Centre #02-19
Singapore 269694
TLC Speech Clinic
101 Thomson Road
United Square #07-01 / 02
Singapore 307591
Specialisation:
TLC Speech Clinic runs a popular Early Intervention Programme (EIP) which is customizable to suit the needs of the child and family. TLC has full-day EIP and weekend EIP, which are helpful for working parents, in addition to 2-hour and 3-hour AM and PM EIP sessions on weekdays with daily speech therapy intervention.
TLC speech therapists specialise in feeding, fussy/picky eating, Augmentative and Alternative communication (AAC) and social communication. Providing a comprehensive range of services focusing on children and young adults, TLC offers individualised therapy sessions and group-based intervention tailored for children with speech and language, sensory-related and cognitive challenges.
Other areas of services include School Readiness Programme, Speech and Language Therapy, and Occupational Therapy, Specialised Groups, Educational and Developmental Therapy, as well as Educational Psychology.
Founded by two speech therapists, Yi Yui and Lynnette, who wanted to bring quality and professional speech therapy services to Singapore, TLC is helmed by experienced and dedicated professionals to support families and maximise the child’s potential in life.
TLC was formed to provide quality, well-trained and supervised therapy and educational services. The TLC team is thus blessed with therapists and educators with equally warm hearts and fun-loving spirits to bring their best for the children they serve.
Follow @tlcspeechclinic on Instagram or Facebook to learn more about their services.
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