Educational programming claims to help improve a toddler’s early language skills. A recent study by Harvard Medical School proves that although watching T.V. does not improve a toddler’s development, it does not harm it either. Many parents find that watching T.V. with their toddler and discussing what they are watching helps toddlers to learn more and enjoy quality time with family members.
Is T.V. Harmful to Toddlers
The study evaluated the effect of watching television on 872 children under two years of age. Adjustments were made based on parental education, duration of breastfeeding, gender, birth weight, and race and the study found that watching T.V. before the age of 2 was not associated with better language or motor skills. There was no evidence in the study that found T.V. as being harmful to toddlers, but common sense should be used to place limits on viewing time for young children.
Setting Limits on T.V. Time
All parents have things come up that require them to focus on a task that is not toddler friendly. Many parents use the T.V. as a safe way to occupy their toddler during the day. While T.V. in small amounts will not harm a toddler, it should not occupy all of a toddler’s time. Developmentally appropriate activities such as playing with building toys, coloring, and practicing motor skills should make up a large part of a toddler’s day. Too much T.V. prevents a toddler from participating in activities that will help a toddler learn important skills.
Choosing Developmentally Appropriate T.V. Shows for Toddlers
One of the biggest concerns parents have about toddlers watching T.V. is the increased risk of exposing them to violence. Even children’s shows can demonstrate unacceptable violent behavior that can cause a toddler to have nightmares and be overly aggressive. Watching T.V. with your toddler and carefully monitoring the shows he watches can help prevent your toddler from being exposed to inappropriate shows.
Alternative Activities
T.V. is not the only way to occupy a bored toddler. Toddlers enjoy simple sensory activities such as play dough or playing with water in the kitchen sink. These easy activities can keep a toddler occupied as a parent cooks dinner or finishes up a project. Thus the parent is encouraging educational and developmentally appropriate activities. Rotate toys to keep them new and exciting. Simple crafts such as coloring, cutting paper with safety scissors, and threading beads on a shoelace can encourage creativity and independent thinking.
Deciding whether or not your toddler is allowed to watch television is a personal decision that every parent has to make. Placing limits on T.V. time and limiting what shows your toddler watches can help parents create a T.V. viewing experience that is appropriate for toddlers.
