Should My Child Watch TV?
Many parents say, "My child would stay glued to the TV all day if I let them". Are you one of them? If so, remember that you can change your child's TV watching habits! Let's take a look at what you need to do in this regard...
How does television affect my child's development?
- Between the ages of 0-3, children acquire skills that they will use for the rest of their lives.
- Therefore, the biggest impact of television is undoubtedly seen between the ages of 0-3.
- Any problem that may occur during this period can affect the whole life.
- You should be very careful when introducing television to your child to reduce the possibility of it affecting your child's psychological, social and physical development. Now, let's find out what you should pay attention to...
Here are some tips for your child to watch TV safely
- The sound of the TV on all the time at home can delay your baby's learning to speak. This is why you should keep your baby away from the TV as much as possible for the first 2 years.
- You may want to watch your favorite TV series, but this can negatively affect your child's psychology. You should not allow your child to watch age-inappropriate, violent programs!
- Don't think, "They are young, they won't understand anyway". Let them watch children's channels with age-appropriate programs, and if necessary, you should put a password on other channels.
- What child doesn't like watching cartoons? No doubt your child does too. However, you should not let them spend the whole day in front of the TV.
- Don't you think it would be nice to have a pleasant time watching TV together? Then pay attention to the channel he/she is watching. Communicate well with him/her by asking different questions from time to time, and make him/her laugh by repeating some funny gestures you see.
- Determine the hours your child watches television. Make sure that this time period does not exceed 1-2 hours per day.
- To summarize, make sure you control what your child watches, the duration and the hours.
The benefits of television for children
There are some benefits as well as harms of children watching television. However, parental supervision is essential for children to benefit from these benefits. Some educational programs for preschoolers are effective in helping children learn new skills. Television programs such as general culture programs, science, art or documentaries can be beneficial for school-age children. It is very important for parents to guide their children in watching these programs.
You may also be concerned about the effects of television. To keep your child away from the harmful effects of television, you can both limit the hours and stick to educational programs. Remember that you are the best role model for your child and only with your support can they develop useful habits.
