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How to Reduce TV Time

March 1, 2016 by Administrator
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According to Kaiser Family Foundation, 2/3 of infants and toddlers watch an average of 2 hours of TV per day. For kids ages 6, it is about the same including the ipad or the iphone. Kids and teens ages 8 t 18 years has become 4 hours a day in addition to what they do at school. According to The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) they recommend 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.

The first 2 years of life are considered a critical time for brain development. TV and other electronic media can get in the way of exploring, playing, and interacting with parents and others, which encourages learning and healthy physical and social development.
As kids get older, too much screen time can interfere with activities such as being physically active, reading, doing homework, playing with friends, and spending time with family.

Of course, TV in moderation can be a good thing: Preschoolers can get help learning the alphabet on public television, grade schoolers can learn about wildlife on nature shows, and parents can keep up with current events on the evening news. No doubt about it — TV can be an excellent educator and entertainer.

Still, too much TV can be a bad thing:
1. Children who consistently spend more than 4 hours per day watching TV are more likely to be overweight.
2. Kids who view violent acts on TV are more likely to show aggressive behavior, and to fear that the world is scary and that something bad will happen to them.
3. TV characters often depict risky behaviors, such as smoking and drinking, and also reinforce gender-role and racial stereotypes.

It is important as parents for you to monitor the content of TV programming and set viewing limits to ensure that your kids don't spend too much time parked in front of the TV. So how can this be done:

Your child's total screen time might be greater than you realized. Start monitoring it and talk to your child about the importance of sitting less and moving more. Also, explain screen time rules — and the consequences of breaking them. In the meantime, take simple steps to reduce screen time. For example:

·         Eliminate background TV. If the TV is turned on — even if it's just in the background — it's likely to draw your child's attention. If you're not actively watching a show, turn off the TV.

·         Keep TVs and computers out of the bedroom. Children who have TVs in their bedrooms watch more TV than children who don't have TVs in their bedrooms. Monitor your child's screen time and the websites he or she is visiting by keeping TVs and computers in a common area in your house.

·         Don't eat in front of the TV. Allowing your child to eat or snack in front of the TV increases his or her screen time. The habit also encourages mindless munching, which can lead to weight gain.

·         Set school day rules. Most children have limited free time during the school week. Don't let your child spend all of it in front of a screen. Also, avoid using screen time as a reward or punishment. This can make screen time seem even more important to children.

·         Talk to your child's caregivers. Encourage other adults in your child's life to limit your child's screen time, too.

·         Suggest other activities. Rather than relying on screen time for entertainment, help your child find other things to do, such as reading, playing a sport, helping with cooking or trying a board game.

·         Set a good example. Be a good role model by limiting your own screen time.

·         Unplug it. If screen time is becoming a source of tension in your family, unplug the TV, turn off the computer or put away the smart phones or video games for a while. You might designate one day a week or month as a screen-free day for the whole family. To prevent unauthorized TV viewing, put a lock on your TV's electrical plug.

Posted In : Importance of Play
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