Television and Your Child

Television and Your Child

Unlike many people, I don’t believe watching television is totally bad, but it does have to be controlled. Sitting your child in front of the TV and using it as a babysitter is the wrong thing to do. Watching TV decreases social interaction and physical activities.
There are some good aspects to television but they have to be weighed carefully. TV can add information and knowledge, but it can also bring images of violence, sex, and other harmful information.
If the television is the center of your living room then chances are you are sending the wrong message. Don’t just turn it on and let it run all day while you are at home. This sends the wrong message to your child.
If you have preschool children, find out the best shows aimed at their age group and set a schedule and stick to it. Let it be in addition to other activities, not in place of other activities. You should stay with your child and watch TV with them. Talk to them about what they see and be involved. You might have to explain things to your child about what they see.
Television provides young children with useful information, it doesn't make them smarter or improve their school performance. Reading does.
If your children are school age they will be more apt to want to watch TV. It should never be on until homework is done, during meals, and should be limited during the weekdays. On the weekend the time can be extended but not to the point that the children don’t go out to play or do other physical activities.
Television is here to stay and as a result you need to use it properly. There are many shows that are both enjoyable and entertaining. My children loved the Discovery Channel as well as other similar shows.
Television can provide opportunities for children to learn about all kinds of things, it can increase their interests by exposing the child to a variety of activities and topics..
Remember, you are in control of the television, there is an "Off" button on every set!