The television seems to be one of those luxuries that has become a necessity to the family home. Many families also have a need for not just one television set but two or maybe even three. We all know that there are bad effects associated with children watching television.
So what does this mean?? Does it mean that we throw our television sets out to the trash? No, of course not! There are also good effects to watching television as well. In this post we will examine both the good and bad effects. We will also look at some tips to help us use the television more effectively when it comes to our children.
So what does this mean?? Does it mean that we throw our television sets out to the trash? No, of course not! There are also good effects to watching television as well. In this post we will examine both the good and bad effects. We will also look at some tips to help us use the television more effectively when it comes to our children.
Good Effects:
* Acts as a free sitter. Great for those brief moments when parents may be busy.
* Enhancement of learnt knowledge through educational programs.
* Children who watch informative programs are more likely to continue watching these programs as adults.
*Can encourage a child to read. For instance a child may watch a program about dinosaurs and want to learn more. This is a great opportunity for the use of books.
Bad Effects:
* May delay language and speech development. The television keeps children from interacting with other people and playing.
* Development of obesity. Children who spend many hours watching may not be getting much physical activity. Plus if they are snacking while watching that could increase the risk even more.
* Learn bad language content.
* Imitation of dangerous acts and violence.
* Psychological effects from scary programs such as risk of bad dreams.
Tips:
* Make sure that the program content the child watches is suitable for his or her age.
* Treat television as a privilege or a reward that is earned after doing homework or chores.
* Put limits on the daily amount watched.
* Use television as family time by watching a program or movie together.
* Choose educational programs developed for children.
* Do not allow televisions in bedrooms.
* Encourage other activities such as reading, walking, other activities.
Thank you for reading!
7 Comments
We don't really keep our kids from watching too many shows..they watch what most would consider adult (because of violence & language) but let me add I do have a limit..so are just way too much. They don't sit in front of the tv all day either...they love outside play (or driving me nuts running through the house playing zombie attack)...i think there has to be that balance in their lives..just like they watch the "adult" shows they also watch a LOT of discovery & history channel shows (not the reality ones). Thanks for your thoughts! I enjoyed reading!
ReplyDeleteYes I agree! There definitely needs to be a balance. It is really good that your kids enjoy playing outside. That's the way it should be with kids. When I was growing up I would rather take playing outside over television any day.
DeleteI don't think the "Bad Effects" are really fair because my kids aren't going to learn bad language if they are watching shows on PBS or something like that. It's all about limiting your children and making sure they are watching age appropriate shows.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have cable so my son has a choice of three educational channels (one is only on during the day) so he has enjoyed watching PBS and I feel that he has learned lots of good things. There are a lot of kids out there watching programs that aren't appropriate for their age and coming up with violence or bad language but my son doesn't get to watch any of those channels. We actually told him one night when he came down after falling asleep that we were watching adult television and I laughed later and hope he wouldn't repeat that at school because it sounds like we are watching things that are inappropriate :) I actually used to have nightmares about cookie monster when I was a kid so it could be anything even as good as Sesame Street to upset kids.
ReplyDeleteThese tips are really great!
ReplyDeletehttp://fabulousperks.blogspot.com
http://Blessedbowtie.blogspot.com
I like your website very much
ReplyDeleteMy kids are 23 and 27 so TV watching isn't in my control anymore...but these are great tips! Thanks for sharing at the Ducks 'n a Row Blog Hop! Can't wait to see what you link up next week. I also invite you to Grow Your Google+ Circles tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteCathy
APeekIntoMyParadise.com