Early Learning Project
Watching TV and videos is part of daily life in many families—but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says to be cautious. Too much screen time—time spent in front of TVs and other electronic devices—may cause problems for babies and young children. These problems include lack of exercise, obesity, eyestrain, and not enough active learning or play with others. Here are some ways to help your children learn good viewing habits.
About thisTip Sheet
Help your child choose what to watch.
- Keep in mind that the AAP recommends that parents discourage any screen time (including TV and videos) for babies and children under age 2. They also suggest no more than 1-2 hours of screen time per day for preschool-age children.
- Remember that most videos and shows (including the news) are meant for adults or older children, not babies or preschoolers. They may contain vulgar talk, rude behavior, sexual content, disturbing images, or violence. These things may lead to bad dreams, fears, and aggression or other behavior problems in young children.
- Preview programs and videos so you know what your child will be seeing. Allow mostly high-quality educational TV shows and videos. They can inform children and still be fun to watch.
- Pre-record shows so that you can skip commercials that promote unhealthy food choices and that place too much value on buying toys and other products.
- Watch with your child when possible. Ask questions and make comments that help build his media literacy. "What does that ad want us to buy?”
Make a weekly viewing schedule.
- Be clear with your child about how much screen time you allow each day. Help her plan how to use her screen time (for viewing, for using the computer, or for electronic games). Take into account her screen time at child care or preschool.
- Let your child choose from a list of shows or videos that you know are suitable. For example, if you allow one hour of viewing time daily, he might plan to watch two half-hour videos on Monday and a one-hour program on Tuesday.
- Change the schedule together each week: “Last week you watched Between the Lions. Do you want to do that again this week?”
- If older family members want to watch shows that are not suitable for babies or preschoolers, ask them to record the programs to watch when the younger children are not around.
Help your child think of more active ways to learn and have fun.
- Teach your child crafts, board games, and other activities to take the place of watching TV or videos.
- Avoid making TV a centerpiece of home life. Keep TVs out of children’s bedrooms and playrooms. If you keep the TV turned off most of the time, especially during meals, children can learn to entertain themselves.
For more information about television, videos, and young children, visit these Web sites.
- Policy Statement: Children, Adolescents, and Television
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics%3b107/2/423 - We Can! Reduce Children’s Screen Time Log
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/downloads/screen-time-log.pdf - Menos TV y videos ayudan a mantener el peso
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/news-events/matte3sp.htm - Zero to Six: Electronic Media in the Lives of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/upload/Zero-to-Six-Electronic-Media-in-the-Lives-of-Infants-Toddlers-and-Preschoolers-PDF.pdf - Young Children View TV Differently
http://actagainstviolence.apa.org/materials/handouts/TeacherMV2.pdf - Protecting Children from Advertising
http://www.apa.org/monitor/jun04/protecting.aspx - Children, Adolescents, and Advertising
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/118/6/2563.full - Help Your Child Make Sense of Advertising
http://www.parentfurther.com/resources/enewsletter/archive/make-sense-of-advertising - IEL Interactive Chat: TV, Computers, and Video Games—How Much Is Too Much?
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/chat/weisheit/index.htm - Prevention of Pediatric Overweight and Obesity
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;112/2/424 - PBS Parents
http://www.pbs.org/parents/ - PBS Parents en Espanol
http://www.pbs.org/parents/about/spanish/sitemap.html - PBS Kids
http://pbskids.org/ - Television: Special Issues for Young Children
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/parents/television/issues_children_tv.cfm - Childhood Exposure to Media Violence Predicts Young Adult Aggressive Behavior, According to a New 15-Year Study
http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2003/03/media-violence.aspx - The Surgeon General’s Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/initiatives/healthy-fit-nation/obesityvision2010.pdf - Overweight in Children and Adolescents
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/obesity/factsheet06.pdf.pdf - Television: How to Encourage Good Viewing Habits
http://www.ocd.pitt.edu/Files/PDF/Parenting/TelevisionHabits.pdf - TV & Movie Violence: Why Watching It Is Harmful to Children
http://www.ocd.pitt.edu/Files/PDF/Parenting/TvAndMovieViolence.pdf - Proper TV Viewing Habits for Children
http://www.pta.org/topic_proper_TV_viewing_habits_for_children.asp - Technology and Interactive Media as Tools in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8
http://www.naeyc.org/content/technology-and-young-children
Spanish: ¡Hora de la tecnología! La televisión, los vídeos y los niños pequeños
Disclaimer
The opinions, resources, and referrals provided on the IEL Web site are intended for informational purposes only and are not intended to take the place of medical or legal advice, or of other appropriate services. We encourage you to seek direct local assistance from a qualified professional if necessary before taking action.
The content of the IEL Web site does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education; nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education.