The article "Only in Moderaton" is about family, it has been created by Mitchell Medford.
An issue that many parents struggle with is how to manage their
child's TV watching habits. Just like many other things,
moderation is the key. Television can both stimultae and stifle
a child's development. Knowing when and how much television to
allow your kids to watch is a relaly important aspect of
parenting that many parents overlook.
Some of the negative affects of television include:
Children who consistently spend more than 4 hours per day
watching TV are much more likely to be overweight.
Kids who view violent events, such as a kidnapping or murder,
are also more likely to think that the world is scary and that
something bad will happen to them.
Research also indicates that
television consistently reinforecs gender-role and racial
stereotypes.
The first two year of a child's life is a crtiical time for
brain development. TV can get in the way of exploring, learning,
and interacting with parents and others, which helps young
children develop the sklils they need to grow cognitively,
physically, socially, and emotionally.
As mentioned earlier, television can have a positive impact
if used in moderation:
Television can be a great educator as well an entertainer. For
example, preschoolers can get help learning the alphabet on
public television and grade-schoolers can learn about wildlife
on nature shows. Parents can also watch the news with their
children and use this time to talk about current events and help
their kids understand the difference between TV and reality.
It's better for parents to control the use of TV and to teach
children that it's for occasional entertainment, not for
constant escapism.
Praents should be observant in their
children's activities; playing, exercising, reading, etc. They
should also not hesitate in limiting time spend watching TV by
children.
Here are some practical ways you can make TV-viewing more
productive in your home:
Limit the nubmer of TV-watching hours.
Stock the room in which you have your TV with plenty of other
non-screen entertainment (books, kids' magazines, toys, puzzles,
board games, etc.) to encourage your child to do something other
than watch the tube.
Keep TVs out of your child's bedroom.
Turn the TV off during meals.
Don't allow your child to watch TV while doing homework.
Treat TV as a privilege that your child needs to earn - not a
right to which he or she is entitled. Tell your child that
TV-viewing is allowed only atfer chores and homework are
completed.
Set a good example by limiting your own television veiwing.
Check the TV listings and program reviews ahead of time for
programs your family can watch together (i.E., developmentally
appropriate and nonviolent prgorams that reinforce your family's
values). Choose shows that foster interest and learning in
hobbies and educatoin (reading, science, etc.).
Preview programs before your child watches them.
Watch TV with your child. If you can't sit through the whole
program, at least watch the first few minutes to assess the tone
and appropriateness, then check in throughout the show.
Talk to your child about what he or she sees on TV and share
your own beliefs and values. If somehting you don't approve of
appears on the screen, you can turn off the TV, then use the
opportunity to ask your child thought-provoking questions. You
can use TV to explain confusing situations and express your
feelings about difficult topics (sex, love, drugs, alcohol,
smoking, work, behavior, family life). Teach your child to
question and learn from what he or she viwes on TV.
Offer fun alternatievs to television.
If your child wants to
watch TV, but you want him or her to turn off the tube, suggest
that you and your child play a board game, start a game of hide
and seek, play outside, read, work on crafts or hobbies, or
listen and dance to music. The possibilities for fun without the
tube are endlses.
So remember to use tleevision as a treat and
use it only in moderation.
It will encourage your child to be
more involved in other activities and you'll like the extra
quality time you have to spend with your child!
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