Our TV memories can actually parallel our actual lifescary, but true. There are many parents who allow TV and video games to be their babysitter, if you will, while they relax, cook dinner, or do other things around the house that need to be done. And while I understand the urge to do this, there are certainly other ways of keeping your children entertained while you perform household chores and duties. Too much television is prominent among both adults and children today. It has become a part of us, in a very real way. The first time I watched television, that I can remember directly, was Sesame Street. But, fortunately, my parents restricted my television exposure to one hour per day. This is a good recommendation. This kind of restriction does not leave your kids completely void of the opportunity to watch television (which almost all of us enjoy)but this type of restriction does make more time available for your children to be creative, learn, and be activewhich are essential aspects of how a child develops. It is amazing how television affects the brain. We can try to remember other, real life eventsand the memories just slip away. However, we remember in detail the events and stories we learned in our TV lives. For example, I cannot tell you the name of my first or second grade teacherbut I do remember what the first movie I watched was as a kid when my parents bought our first VCR. I have two sisters and a brother, but they were also allowed only one hour of television per day. We spent the rest of the time playing, reading, practicing dance or piano or basketball. Now we all enjoy reading more than watching TV and are also each very artistic. An incredibly interesting thing I have noticed that concerns child development in relation to television is that when a child has been watching a lot of TV they have less energy, they do not smile as much, and do not have as much to talk about with their parents and friends. On the opposite side of things, I have watched children come in from playing outside or reading a book, dancing, building things or coloring and observed that these kids have much more energy, much more to talk about and many more creative ideas. In regard to child development, it is proven that a childs mind develops better, and more learning and discovery occurs at younger ages when there is less television involved in childrens lives. Unfortunately, some parents feel they do not have any option. Despite the fact that television can be bad for your kids, many households can not survive unless there is a dual incomeso when the parents get home from work they simply do not have time to play with their kids that much. They feel that their kids have to watch TV to be entertained. Or the babysitter thinks the best way to do his or her job is to stick the kids in front of the TV until you get home. But there are many other ways, find something or some things that your child enjoys doing and he or she will play with toys, read, or play inside for hoursentertaining themselves without gazing blankly at a screen. There is a way to compromise how much TV your child watches. And there is no better reason than the simple fact their brains will develop more efficiently when such adjustments are madeand I am sure you will feel better about that. |
