I remember as a kid planting myself in front of the television and watching my favorite shows…Murder She Wrote was at the top of my “Favorites” list. I’m not sure if my parents warned me against too much television or if they were oblivious…but I have several pictures of me as a child propped in front of the tv smiling at the camera. Don’t get me wrong, I am not faulting my parents…they always had my best intention in mind, but I do feel they were young and naive to the effects of too much tv on my development.
The American Academy of Pediatrics just released their updated TV guidelines for children ages 2 and under. In their statement, they discourage all TV viewing for children in this age group. Part of the justification for their recommendation is that TV viewing reduces parent-child communication.
Some parents may believe that they can’t offer their children the kinds of educational experiences that TV provides. But they are wrong. Children learn the best from real people, especially people who are important to them. When parents talk with their children, they not only promote their language development but also teach their children that they are valued and important. Reading books and turning off the TV can facilitate these positive interactions.
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