The best way to handle how much television and video your toddler watches is to think of them as refined sugar: You want your child to enjoy this seductive stuff without consuming too much. TV viewing has been linked to obesity in children, among other problems, so it's a good idea to stay on top of the time your toddler spends in front of the screen.
The average American child watches more than four hours of TV a day, despite a recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that kids 2 and older watch no more than one to two hours daily. The AAP recommends that kids under 2 watch no television at all.
Setting limits from day one is the key to keeping viewing time under control. You're in charge and it's your job to give guidance when it comes to television. It's a lot easier to relax your standards later than it is to wean an 18-month-old from a three-times-a-dayDora or Blue's Clues habit.
Limit the amount of TV your toddler watches
Studies show that television hampers brain development in young children, which is why it’s best to hold off on TV until after your child’s second birthday.
If you allow your child to watch one program after another without any limits, your toddler's brain can shift to autopilot. So if you choose to allow some television, keep it to a bare minimum and have your child pick a particular show to watch.
Once your child hits 2, limit his total viewing time (that is, all screen time, including time spent at the computer and playing video games) to an hour or two a day – even that amount is a lot for an active toddler. Also, keep the television out of your child's bedroom and turned off during meal times.
Watch with your toddler
Research shows that academic success is linked to how much TV your child watches and with whom she watches it. Children with moderate access to television who watch with a parent score significantly higher academically than children who watch a moderate amount of TV on their own. Besides, just being there says to your child, "What you do is important to me."
Of course, many of us have moments when we resort to using television or a video as a babysitter, but when you leave your child alone with the TV for a long time, you send a message that you don't care what she watches. If you can, bring a basket of laundry into the room to sort or take care of some other task so you can work and watch. Then it becomes an activity the two of you can enjoy together.
Watch programs, not television
Rather than sitting down to watch whatever happens to be on, carefully select the program your toddler's going to watch and turn off the set when that program is over. Record programs ahead of time, if possible, so your child can watch what you want, when you want.
A two-minute warning with a ten-second countdown that a show (or the segment of it that you're letting your toddler watch) is about to end will help him transition to the next activity.
Choose kid-friendly programs
Pick out educational programs or shows that are designed to entertain kids. Use the TV ratings system to help figure out which shows are appropriate for your child.
Also, think about what you want your child to learn from the TV she watches. If she's trying to master the alphabet, find an episode of her favorite show that focuses on learning the ABCs.
If you haven't already, now might be a good time to set up parental controls on your television. By the age of 2, many kids are already adept at channel surfing.
Some research suggests that children who watch violence on TV are more likely to display aggressive behavior. Stay away from scary shows, too.
Instead, choose simple programs that emphasize interactivity. The best shows are those that inspire your child to makes sounds, say words, sing, and dance. For specific program suggestions, talk to other parents in our community about TV for kids.
Help your toddler watch with a critical eye
Explain what's going on in the show, and encourage your child to ask questions and relate what's happening in the show to his own life. If you've recorded the show or are watching a video or DVD, press the pause button as often as you need to so that you have ample time to discuss what's going on.
If you're watching a recorded TV show, you may want to fast-forward through the commercials. Or, you can mute the TV and use the commercial time to discuss the program with your child. If you're stuck watching commercials, help your toddler understand the difference between those and the show itself.
Extend the show's content with activities or books
If you and your toddler have just finished watching a Sesame Street segment that introduces a number, talk about it later and find other examples to show her. When you're setting the table, for example, you might say, "Hey, today's number was three, and there are three places to set!" Then read and discuss a book that explores numbers.
Your Baby's First Year: Week by Week
You might also like
More Baby Care Topics
Hepatitis B Vaccine
MMR Vaccine
BCG Vaccine
Polio Vaccine
HIB Vaccine
Typhoid Vaccine
Rota Virus Vaccine
Baby Care: Useful TipsMMR Vaccine
BCG Vaccine
Polio Vaccine
HIB Vaccine
Typhoid Vaccine
Rota Virus Vaccine
Ideal weight gain in a New Born Baby
How much sleep does your baby need?
Breast Feeding Techniques
Well Breast Feeding Signs
Bottle Feeding Advantages
How do I store my Breast Milk?
Which day care center is more comfort?
0 comments:
Post a Comment