Screen time. It’s quite the controversial topic but it’s a conversation which is really important to have. There’s no denying that children are drawn to screens like a moth to a flame. As a parent, anything that helps limit screen time in our home is something worth exploring and today I’d like to share my Birde player review with you!
Our new Birde player made it so incredibly easy (and fun!!) to limit our screen time while providing our children with an engaging medium for enjoying their favourite stories and songs!
According to their website, Birde “allows children to safely learn and play music, video and audiobooks independently. Birde has a specially developed content platform to ensure a safe and fun way for children to learn through play.“
The Birde is essentially a speaker system which even the youngest of children can operate independently without accessing screens or the internet. Popular storybooks and children’s music are available as ‘seeds’ which your little learner can just tap on the front of the Birde. It’s so incredibly easy that even Audrey who is 2 can use it all by herself. She very quickly formed quite an attachment with the Funky Chicken audiobook and music. I think we could all just about sing it in our sleep!
We have a wireless recharging dock which is plugged in beside their bed so they just sit the Birde on top and she charges while they play. The can turn the sound up and down and it’s even waterproof which is an amazing feature with three messy little people. They can take it outside and enjoy their music and audiobooks without worrying about it getting too dirty.
We’ve got a couple of the Birde Fairytale books which work just like the seeds. The kids can hold the Birde icon on the book up to their Birde player and it will begin reading the story to them. This has been great for Lilly who is 6 years old and learning to read. It’s really helped build her confidence and see herself as a reader.
Yesterday morning I snuck into her bedroom to find her set up with her Best of Play School seed while drawing some fruits and vegetables in her scrapbook. It’s been such a wonderful tool for her when she’s feeling a little overwhelmed and is looking for a way to calm her body or find a quiet moment for herself. We love it so much that we’re going to order another to keep in Elliot’s bedroom!
If you’d like to grab a Birde player for your little learner, you can save 15% by entering the code CASEY15 in the checkout. Click here to browse the Birde collection!!
But why should we limit screen time?
The Department of Health here in Australia recommends that children aged 2 and under shouldn’t spend any time watching television or using devices and children aged 2 to 5 years should spend no more than 1 hour per day (reference).
When our little people spend too much time being entertained by screens, they lose opportunities to engage in active play or socially interact with siblings or parents. Our Birde player has been a wonderful tool for our children to enjoy together especially some of the seeds where they can jump around and dance to their favourite songs. We’ve even taken the Birde in the car for long trips which the kids have loved!
Of course our kids still enjoy watching cartoons and movies to wind down but our Birde player has certainly made it a lot easier (and more enjoyable) to cut down our screen time and media consumption and replace it with something safe, educational, fun and appropriate for their developmental stages.
This is not a sponsored blog post. I do not earn commissions and have not been compensated in return for a review. We were gifted a Birde and we have all loved it so much that I wanted to share this wonderful Australian owned company with you!