Apr 21 2009
Effect of TV Watching on Children
I love watching TV. Once TV is switched on, my eyes and my full attention would be glued to the screen. If you talk to me when I am watching TV, most likely I can’t hear you.
But I ceased watching TV after Ian was born. First, it was due to my struggle with handling my first child – the cleaning, the cooking, the breastfeeding, the crying, etc. Then, I gave it up because I do not want to let my children watch. How can I stop them if I watch?
I am quite adament of not allowing my children watch TV too much. I can’t stop them from watching TV at my mom’s and MIL’s house, but I can’t let go of this control when it is in my own house.
Well, not that I don’t allow them to watch at all. There are times that I let them watch (like rewarding of good behaviour), with a limit of 30 minutes, or until one episode is over (if it is circa 30 min). Most of the time, I let them watch VCD/DVD, because I can control it, and children is more willing for me to stop because they can resume it some time later.
Believe it or not, the effect of TV on children is impactful. Most of the time, whenever my children say or do things that we’ve never taught, they are from TV. Even though I’ve cut down their time with my mom/MIL, meaning very little TV time, they can still tell me things learnt from TV (through the short viewing time!). This includes violent actions, silly terms (with bad meanings), etc. Most of the time, violence registered much better than any loving scenes.
Look, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that kids under 2 years old not watch any TV and that those older than 2 watch no more than 1 to 2 hours a day of quality programming. This recommendation is not given for no reasons. Kidshealth.org has a very good article on TV’s affects on children, and a very useful list of why children should not watch too much TV.
There is also a guide on good TV habits. I like this particularly well: TURN THE TV OFF DURING MEALS.
Whenever I am at mom’s or PIL’s house, I have difficulties feeding my kids. I can’t get them on to the dining table, and they cannot sit still. Mom likes to feed them in front of TV, and that takes forever to finish. I never find this problem at home, coz I hardly switch on TV – it is a reward of good behaviour and is limited to 30 min only.
Another good point is to Set a Good Example by limited own watch time, which I am glad I do this very well. Ahem!
I find it disturbing when mom/MIL watch those dramas in front of the kids. A lot of fighting, shoving, shouting, etc. If I can choose (I don’t have ASTRO at home, for the same reason), I would rather they watch Discovery or National Geographic (my favourite channels).
It is important to note that, whilst some TV programs are good for educational, watching too much of TV reduce children’s time (adult’s too) in other better activities. TV watching is just so non-interactive. Watching too much of TV makes one live in the TV world and own imagination. We should encourage our kids to spend more time socializing, doing more physical activities, and read more books. It all goes down to how much time we allow ourselves, and our children, to spend in front of TV.
My children are still young and I can still control. When they are older, it would be more difficult. That’s why, ASTRO is not allowed at home.
How much time do you actually let your children spend in front of TV? What program do you let them watch?
Here are other articles on Effect of TV on Children:
The Hidden Effects of TV on Children
Kill Your Television – Children and TV
Television Effects on Children
Children and TV Violence
I also limit the time Ryan has in front of the TV. Unfortunately, I cannot control that in nanny’s house. With me, no TV during the school nights. So, TV is usually on weekends. I allow 1.5 hours of Mickey, Winnie and Little Einsteins in the morning and then close it for the day. I hate to say this, but this 1.5 hours is when I do most of my housework!!
And I also switch off the TV during meals – this is a super bad habit!
Busy Bee: Ya, sometimes I do that also – let them watch TV when I need absolutely no disturbance, like when I have telecon at home!
Yes, I make sure the tv is off at meal times too, it’s the one time that we can catch up and talk about whats been happening.