Television Tips
American children watch an average of three to five hours of TV each day. Several research studies have shown that too much television-watching can harm the ability of children to learn. Although TV can be fun and educational, it’s important to know what your children are watching, to make sure it’s not too much, and to make sure it doesn’t stop them from doing schoolwork.
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Find out how many hours a day your child watches TV.
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Monitor what your child is watching, and whenever possible, watch the programs with your child.
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Pick a TV show to watch as a family. What kind of conversations can you start from the TV show? For instance, you may ask, "Why are those people in the program so unkind to each other?"
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Plan other activities, such as crafts, reading, doing homework, and writing letters, instead of watching TV. Try to plan at least one different activity each week.
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Avoid using TV as a babysitter.
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Look for TV programs that will stimulate your child’s interests and encourage reading (dramatizations of children’s stories, wildlife adventures, history, and science).
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Avoid using television as a reward or punishment. It gives TV too much importance.
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If your child has a TV set in the bedroom, you may not know what is being watched. If possible, keep the TV in a common area, like the living room or den.
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Turn off the TV during meals and study time. Make a rule that homework and chores must be finished before the TV can be turned on.
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Help your child understand the difference between make believe and the real world in television programs.
- Do you need to review your own television watching habits? Remember your child is watching what you watch and how much time you spend doing it.
