Children and Television: Watching What They Watch

As modern parents become more career-oriented, children have become more dependent on other sources of learning in their homes. Today, television is the most prevalent substitute parent, as children are glued to the television a couple of hours a day.

While television has been hailed as a great teaching tool, with numerous educational programs designed for children, majority of TV programs are devoted to adult audiences. Other shows may likewise target the younger market, but showcase acts of violence and aggression, packaged in comical cartoon characters. Coupled with the fact that children have yet to establish their sense of right and wrong during their formative years, it is very important for parents to monitor their children's TV habits.

Parents should set clear rules concerning their children's activities, particularly their TV-watching habits. Parents must limit the amount of TV exposure and screen the programs the children watch. It is important that parents should strictly adhere to these rules to instill discipline in the children.

Parents should disallow watching TV during mealtimes or study periods. Children must learn to concentrate on such activities and understand that TV is not a constant companion in everything that they do. They must learn to disengage themselves from TV-watching when it is time to study or eat dinner with the family. It is vital that, for children to learn these values, parents themselves must practice this kind of conduct. Parents must turn off the TV during mealtimes or other activities.

When children are watching TV, parents are encouraged to watch with them. Parents can facilitate their children's understanding and thought processes, explaining to them what values can be learned from what they are watching. Children will also be pleased to have their parents with them, as the adults can answer questions or confusions they may have with respect to the program on TV. Moreover, this can be a good bonding activity for parents and children.

Parents should also remember that TV-watching is not the only activity which they can share with their children. Parents must provide for other hobbies which the children can engage in. they must keep a stock of puzzles, activity books, crayons, pencils, drawing pads, musical toys and other educational materials. They should encourage their children to invite friends over and provide for a play or activity area for the kids. If the kids show interest in musical instruments or sports, parents must urge the child to take up classes on their interest.

The key to all of this is parent participation. No matter how demanding work is, parents must take the time to sit down with their children, and watch over what they are watching.