Choosing lessons
Do online lessons count as screen time?
A live online lesson is screen time in the literal sense, but it's a very different kind from watching videos. In a live lesson your child is talking, listening, answering and thinking with a real person, which is active use rather than passive watching. What matters most is the kind of screen use, how long it lasts and what it replaces, so a short, interactive lesson can sit comfortably in a balanced day.
- By CurioKids teamHow we write our guides
- Published
- Updated
- 7 min read
Key takeaways
- A live lesson is active screen use: your child talks, answers and plays with a real person who responds to them.
- Many 4-year-olds can enjoy a short, playful live lesson, but readiness depends on the child.
- Count the lesson as part of the day's screen use and plan screen-free time around it.
- A shared room, a bigger screen at eye level, good light and headphones make lessons easier and calmer.
- Tired eyes, poor sleep and meltdowns when screens go off are signs to cut back.
On this page
Is a live lesson different from watching videos?
Yes. Watching videos is mostly passive: the content plays whether or not your child is paying attention, and nothing changes in response to them. A live lesson is a conversation. The teacher asks questions, waits for answers, notices when your child is confused and changes the activity when attention drifts.
| Live lesson | Watching videos | |
|---|---|---|
| Who leads | A teacher who responds to your child | The video, the same for every viewer |
| What your child does | Talks, answers, reads and plays | Mostly watches and listens |
| How it ends | At a set time, with a clear finish | Often runs on to the next video |
| Who sets the pace | The teacher, to suit your child | Nobody adjusts it |
Many parents find it more useful to ask what their child is doing on a screen, and with whom, than to count every minute the same way. A video call with grandparents, a live lesson and an hour of cartoons all use a screen, but they ask very different things of a child.
That doesn't make every online activity equal. A lesson that is mostly the child watching animations, or an app that rewards endless tapping, is closer to passive viewing. Look for live interaction with a real person, where your child does much of the talking.
Is my 4-year-old too young for online lessons?
Not necessarily, but it depends on the child and the lesson. Many 4-year-olds enjoy a short live lesson with an engaging teacher, especially one built around songs, pictures, movement and games. Others aren't yet ready to focus on a screen with someone they don't know.
Signs your child may be ready:
- They can sit and focus on one activity, such as a story or a puzzle, for a short while.
- They enjoy video calls with family and respond to the person on screen.
- They can follow a simple instruction, such as “point to the red one”.
- They're comfortable talking to a new adult, at least after a few minutes.
For very young children, keep lessons short, stay nearby and handle the technology for them. If it isn't working yet, wait a few months and try again; there's no rush. Our guide on how long a child's lesson should be explains why short lessons suit young learners, and our comparison of online and in-person lessons covers the other trade-offs.
How do we balance screen time on lesson days?
Treat the lesson as part of the day's screen use and adjust other screen time around it, rather than adding it on top. A few simple habits help:
- Plan screen-free time after the lesson: play outside, build something, draw or read a paper book.
- Avoid stacking screens back to back. A lesson straight after a long cartoon session is harder on attention, and so is one followed by an hour of videos.
- Keep lesson days predictable, so your child knows when the lesson is and what comes next.
- Choose offline rewards. If you celebrate a good lesson, pick a game, a story or time at the playground rather than more screen time.
- Keep bedtime screen-free, and avoid booking lessons very close to bedtime.
Balance across the week matters more than any single day. If your child has a screen-heavy day for school projects, keep the evening and the weekend lighter. And talk to your child about it: older children cope better with limits they understand.
How do we set up the space for an online lesson?
A good space makes the lesson easier to focus on and supports healthy habits:
- A shared room rather than a bedroom, with you nearby.
- A bigger screen if possible: a laptop, desktop or tablet makes slides and the whiteboard easier to see than a phone.
- The screen at about eye level and an arm's length away, with your child sitting upright at a table.
- Good light on your child's face, and no bright window behind the screen.
- Headphones at a comfortable volume, which also help your child hear sounds clearly.
- Notifications and other apps closed, and toys out of reach.
- Water nearby, and a trip to the toilet beforehand.
Use any parent controls on the device and in the app, so your child can't wander into other apps or games during or after the lesson. Encourage a quick stretch or a look out of the window when the lesson ends.
What are the signs that it's too much screen time?
Watch how your child seems, not just the clock. Signs that screen use overall, or the lesson itself, is too much include:
- Tired or sore eyes, eye rubbing or headaches.
- Trouble settling down or sleeping on lesson days.
- Meltdowns when screens are switched off.
- Less interest in play, books or going outside.
- Restlessness or irritability during lessons that doesn't ease with a short break.
- Reluctance to join lessons they used to enjoy.
If you notice these, cut back other screen time first, check the setup, and talk to the teacher about the lesson time or pace. Sometimes a different time of day is all it takes: a lesson after a nap or a snack can feel very different from one at the end of a long day. If you're worried about your child's eyes, sleep or behaviour, speak to your doctor.
How do CurioKids lessons fit into screen time?
CurioKids lessons are live and 1-to-1 with a real teacher, 25 minutes each, for children aged 4–12, with live video, lesson slides, an interactive whiteboard and games. Lessons happen only inside the CurioKids classroom, and there are no ads or third-party trackers in the classroom or the children's app. You control a child mode protected by a PIN. Read more on our safety page, or book a free first lesson from our Singapore or Malaysia page.
Frequently asked questions
Does an online English lesson count as screen time?
Technically yes, because your child is using a screen. But a live lesson with a real teacher is active: your child talks, listens and answers, which is very different from watching videos.
How can I tell if an online lesson is active or passive?
Ask who is doing the talking and thinking. In an active lesson your child answers questions, speaks, reads and plays with a teacher who responds to them. If your child mostly watches, it's closer to passive viewing.
Is a tablet or a laptop better for online lessons?
A bigger screen makes lesson slides and the whiteboard easier to see, so a laptop, desktop or tablet usually works better than a phone. A camera, a microphone and headphones help too.
What should my child do after an online lesson?
Plan something away from screens, such as playing outside, drawing or reading a book. It gives their eyes and attention a rest, and it keeps the day balanced.