Photo by Aaron Escobar
Television is a hot topic these days. Some families kick theirs to the curb (literally). Most Americans veg in front of it for multiple hours each day. Is there a middle ground? A way we can intentionally use tv to enhance our family culture? I think so.
In our family, we try to limit screen time when possible. I've mentioned before that my children have never seen a commercial. I'm not a fan of child-directed advertising, and will happily avoid exposing my kids to it for as long as possible.
On the other hand, I think my children have benefited from their television viewing. What I'm advocating isn't necessarily network television, but high quality programs on video/DVD.
This post refers to children over the age of two. We completely avoided any viewing time for our kids until age one. Then we allowed a maximum of 30 minutes a day (in general) until age two. This was due to our concerns over research suggesting correlations between television watching and increased risk of ADD.
For slightly older children, though, there are seasons where a little extra screen time might just be a blessing. But often moms (like me!) feel guilty about it. So let me help you shed your guilt.
Here are three reasons to let your children watch quality television:
1. Studies have found that there are positive effects on learning (in terms of higher test scores) for children who watch up to 10 hours of television a week.*
Children who watched more than ten hours had lower test scores. As in most of life, moderation is everything. Positive television viewing can provide a child experiences they might never have otherwise.
Photo by Anthony Kelly
2. Television can be a wonderful way to learn about the world.
Through television children have a chance to explore interests, see things in motion (impossible with books), or get intrigued about a new topic.
Recently my three got so excited when we were reading a book about Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. They already knew about the giant tortoises who live there from an episode of Go Diego Go. We also bought a Math DVD
3. Let's be practical here, ladies - a little tv time enables Mom to get some stuff done.
Photo by Desirea Rodgers
I've had busy times when I try to complete an important task with the kids "helping" me. But this sometimes leads to unnecessary frustration. It's better for them to enjoy a little extra screen time, especially when it's a high quality program, then to end up with a cranky Mama.
So there you have it! Tomorrow I'll follow up with a post giving more specific tips to use the television successfully. Please check back in for those recommendations.
Like most things in our home, the television isn't positive or negative in and of itself. It's just a tool, and we can maximize its benefit for those in our family.
(For more parenting tips visit We Are THAT Family.)
*This study is cited in Chapter 9 of Jim Trelease's book, The Read-Aloud Handbook.
