TV Watching seems to Stunt Babies’ Development

Babies who watched 60 minutes of TV daily had developmental scores one-third lower at 14 months than babies who weren’t watching that much TV. Though their developmental scores were still in the normal range, the discrepancy may be due to the fact that when kids and parents are watching TV, they’re missing out on talking, playing, and interactions that are essential to learning and development.

This new study, which appeared in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, followed 259 lower-income families in New York, most of whom spoke Spanish as their primary language at home. Other studies examining higher-income families have also come to the same conclusion: TV watching not only isn’t educational, but it seems to stunt babies’ development.

But what about “good” TV Programs? The researchers didn’t find any pluses or minuses when compared to non-educational programs designed for small children. Earlier research by some of the same scientists, most of whom are at New York University School of Medicine-Bellevue Hospital Center, has found that parents whose children watch non-educational TV programs like spend less time reading to their children or teaching them.

At this point, parents reading this are probably saying D’oh! TV is so often a parent’s good friend, keeping kids happily occupied so the grownups can cook dinner, answer the phone, or take a shower. But clearly that electronic babysitter is not an educational aid.

Expert Opinions

However, parenting experts warn against the habit. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that watching excessive television during the first two years of life can negatively impact early brain development. They recommend no television for children under the age of two, and no more than two hours per day of educational, nonviolent programs for older children.

TV Tips

However, parents have to assume responsibility for their children's well-being, recognizing the potential for negative effects while maximizing the benefits of television watching. Whether your twins/multiples watch TV as babies or as teenagers, the influence of the media is unavoidable in modern society. Every family has to find the right balance of television watching for their household, and these tips will guide you in making good choices.

Control the TV; don’t let it control you or your kids. Set limits on the amount of time that they watch. Babies and younger toddlers should watch in short increments, no more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Be aware of how much your kids watch overall and limit their viewing to no more than one hour a day.

Be selective. Make careful choices about what your kids watch. Preview videos and programming to make sure that they are age-appropriate and worthwhile. Programming that teaches basic concepts like letters; colors and vocabulary can be educational but shouldn’t substitute for your own involvement in your kids' development. Don’t let kids watch shows that are scary, violent or sexual. Provide a variety of choices: calm, gentle programs with classical music for quiet time as well as stimulating shows that encourage kids to interact physically and cognitively.

Interact. Watch television with your children, and talk to them about what they're watching. Even though babies and toddlers can't sustain a conversation, your interaction and communication with them is important. For older kids, television can prompt a wide variety of talking points. Talk about stereotypes, including the way that twins and multiples are depicted on TV!

Offer alternatives. Finally, teach kids good viewing habits from an early age by subsidizing their television watching habits with alternative activities.

Sources:

health.yahoo.net

multiples.about.com

Other links:

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Helping Kids Cope with Stress (Part 2)

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