There are many television programs and videos that are designed to catch the eye of babies and toddlers and keep their attention for quite some time. Some of these shows are educational and are developed to help your child learn colors, numbers, language, and concepts. How can we know if the technology that is available for our children is beneficial or detrimental? There are many studies that show that too much television, DVD watching, and computer game playing can negatively impact a child's attention and can increase the risk of other related learning issues. There are other studies that contradict these results claiming that the right programs can encourage language development and other cognitive skills. It can be confusing to parents who want to do what's best for their child. Well the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children two years of age and under do not watch any television at all. Here is what I do know. When a baby is watching television he is not being actively engaged in conversation which is essential for the development of language skill. When a baby is in a room with an adult that is watching a program that adult is not actively engaged in conversation with her. When a baby or toddler is watching television they are losing precious time that they could use exploring and learning from their environment and their experiences When a baby is watching television she is not using her body to move and practice her motor skills. It is for all these reasons that I feel that babies and young children should avoid or be exposed to as limited television and related technologies as possible.
Let me know what you think.
No comments:
Post a Comment