TV and Toddlers
Television is an important part of our culture. Next to the family, some experts believe that television can be the biggest influence on children. Even infants and toddlers have been swept up by popular TV shows marketed as “educational” programming. But are our babies really ready?
As child development experts continue to study how babies and young children grow and develop, the TV issue becomes even more complex. The need to weigh the pros and cons of children’s TV habits has become more important.
A warning for parents
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that children under 2 shouldn’t be allowed to watch television. That’s because a child’s brain grows so quickly during the first three years of life. Instead of TV, young children need to spend time with other kids and adults. They need time to play and explore. Watching TV doesn’t give them this chance, experts say.
Babies learn best by interacting with people, says Susan L. Buttross, M.D., a specialist in developmental and behavioral pediatrics in Jackson, Miss. “During the first years of life, a baby’s brain grows very rapidly,” she says.
It’s important for a child to have immediate feedback when learning a new word or a skill begins to develop. Parents can offer this through interactive play, Dr. Buttross says. “If parents are looking for a way to take a break, they should remember that you can place a child in a safe area with blocks, puzzles, and books and he will benefit much more from the visual and tactile stimulation of the activity. Babies can be ‘media free’ and develop wonderfully.”
Lots of TV
The AAP’s guidelines were triggered by the amount of TV children watch these days. The typical school-aged child watches four to six hours of TV a day. That number doesn’t include time spent watching movies, listening to music, or watching music videos. It doesn’t include time spent playing video or computer games, or surfing the Internet.
Child experts know that youngsters need relationships with kids and adults to grow and develop, says George Askew, M.D., a Boston pediatrician. “Television is a passive activity that does not provide two-way interaction or response, both of which are critical to young children,” he says. “In order to learn nuances of language, how to relate to others, and to develop social skills, there must be an active give and take. I believe that the day-to-day, moment-to-moment connections with a responsive, nurturing, committed caregiver are far more enriching to a child’s growth and development than any brand of media.”
A 2005 study in the Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine reported that children who watch a lot of TV do more poorly in school.
Obesity is another factor tied to TV watching. Children who spend time watching TV instead of running, jumping, and playing are much more likely to be overweight. Children who watch TV see many commercials for unhealthy foods. They also tend to snack more while watching TV.
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And we wonder why childghood obesity is on the rise…well this is definitely one of the factors! But then again, I am not a fan of TV in the first place because most everything on is trash, so I am biased (: Thanks for posting this; I think it is important!
Thank you for reading it and agreeing this is a very important topic! Unfortunately watching TV is an activity that most children enjoy so parents may see it as an easy “out” when they are overwhelmed or need a break. While it is fine to let your children watch TV occasionally, children need other activities as well! Not only for the exercise benefits, but children need to develop creativity by using their imaginations – not easy to do when glued to the TV. The article is a good reminder of other activities that provide a break – books, puzzles, etc.