HOW MUCH TV
IS GOOD FOR MY KIDS?

Aunt Sue likes her CSI.  Uncle Buck likes the movie network.  

But recent studies have shown that TV can be harmful to children under 2 years old and experts suggest no TV or screen media time at all before 2. 

Why is this?    Problems cited in recent studies :  

• Could prove detrimental to attention span and cognitive development

• Could harm language development

• Could harm sleep patterns

• Could reduce amount of creative play or interaction with others.

These are alarming findings.  This also does not take into account the lack of physical exercise.  Aunt Sue feels that it's pretty obvious that the the time spent in front of various monitors (including the computer and video games) is contributing to huge increases in childhood obesity.  The human physiology was not suited to a life of little activity combined with a rich, exotic diet.  Children need to be active; not sitting passively in front of a monitor; and our bodies have not adapted yet to this new reality.  Perhaps in 1 or 2 generations we will be able to successfully digest this highly processed food, but right now it is causing significant obesity and related problems in the developing world.

TV while compelling, is conditioning the child to demand a quick and easy response.  TV is a very immersive media; and a very passive experience.  It's more difficult to read a book to your child, but ultimately you are teaching them to read at the same time; preparing them for the future.  Communication skills are critical these days and you have to start early.

But no TV???? Aunt Sue knows that this is unrealistic.  

Chances are that if you start watching PBS, a few videos, then SpongeBob, Days in the afternoon, pretty soon Y+R is on and... well, you know what happens.  All of a sudden it's 4:00 and you have not even started dinner and the TV does not go off until well after 11:00. 

If you have read Buck's cooking tips and are serious about making time to cook for yourself or your family you may want to turn off the TV; it's a real time-waster.  

If TV can do that to your children; what is it doing to you????

Have a real conversation with your husband or your wife, turn off the TV.  Spend some time with your kids at the park, turn off the TV (or computer...).

So to summarize; TV is fine; only videos is better (no commercials; and you don't have to pay $50 for cable...) but screen time should be minimized for children under 2 if possible.  

WOULD YOU LIKE TO COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE?  POST/VIEW BELOW:

Here are some of your comments: