A MUM has sparked debate after revealing she’s kept her nearly two-year-old daughter screen free since she was born.
Natalia explained she has never let her 23-month-old daughter watch TV or use a tablet.
Instead, she’s got a toy room packed with wooden, educational toys to keep her entertained.
Natalia took to TikTok to share a look inside the playroom and some of her favourite toys.
One of her daughter’s preferred things to do is “any transferring activity” – which she demonstrated by using tongs to transfer dried pasta from one bowl to another.
She also uses flashcards to teach her little girl about jobs – using dressed-up figures and placing on the corresponding job – as well as animals and sea inhabitants.
“She already knows all the human organs and loves to show where they are located inside her body,” Natalia added of the flashcards she has of different organs.
The little girl also has a shaped hole punch and cardboard, as well as counting peg boards from one to 10.
Montessori toys are a favourite in their house, with a brown stair set used to roll a ball down, while there were also some oddly-shaped rocks to stack.
There is a Ferris wheel, which she called “simple yet entertaining”, as well as a Melissa & Doug schoolyard tumble toy, which she “always plays with for a long time”.
She concluded her tour of the playroom with a look at a Geoboard – pins on a wooden board that she could use to make shapes with elastic bands.
People in the comments section were divided as to whether or not Natalia’s parenting style was one they could get on board with.
“I’m happy I was a kid in the 90s!” one joked.
“Mine watch tv and my mind is sane,” another added.
“Meanwhile mine’s literally had screen time since birth,” a third commented.
“Mine too! Ms Rachel has really helped her learn and so has Sesame Street!” someone else agreed.
“My toddler would be bored in seconds!” another said.
“He doesn’t have screens but he does have fun toys! Jeez man!”
“My girl loves her Elmo and Miss Rachel and even started saying dada at 5 months thanks to Miss Rachel,” someone else insisted.
“I had the TV on always as a kid and I got no issues lol!”
“Do you have a TV in the house? I’m struggling with screen time,” another asked.
To which Natalia replied: “Yes, we do, but we only watch it in the evening when my daughter is sleeping.”
“You can’t say it hasn’t affected her with this little amount of time,” someone else argued.
“Just wait 10 years and then compare them to kids with no screen time.”
There are four recognised styles of parenting explained below:
Authoritarian Parenting
What some might describe as ‘regimental’ or ‘strict parenting.
Parents with this style focus on strict rules, obedience, and discipline.
Authoritarian parents take over the decision-making power, rarely giving children any input in the matter.
When it comes to rules, you believe it’s “my way or the highway.”
Permissive Parenting
Often referred to as ‘soft parenting’ or ‘yes mums/dads’.
Permissive parents are lenient, only stepping in when there’s a serious problem.
They’re quite forgiving and they adopt an attitude of “kids will be kids.”
Oftentimes they act more like friends than authoritative figures.
Authoritative Parenting
Authoritative parents provide their children with rules and boundaries, but they also give them the freedom to make decisions.
With an authoritative parenting style, parents validate their children’s feelings while also making it clear that the adults are ultimately in charge.
They use positive reinforcement techniques, like praise and reward systems, as opposed to harsh punishments.
Neglectful or Uninvolved Parenting
Essentially, neglectful parents ignore their children, who receive little guidance, nurturing, and parental attention.
They don’t set rules or expectations, and they tend to have minimal knowledge about what their children are doing.
Uninvolved parents expect children to raise themselves. They don’t devote much time or energy to meeting children’s basic needs.
Uninvolved parents may be neglectful but it’s not always intentional. A parent with mental health issues or substance abuse problems, for example, may not be able to care for a child’s physical or emotional needs consistently.
But others agreed with Natalia’s screen free approach, with one writing: “This is such a nice room.
“I love Melissa and Doug toys for my kids.”
“Montessori tools are the best,” another added.
“That’s impressive,” a third commented.
As someone else said: “Love these ideas, can’t wait to use it when my daughter’s older!”
