Is It OK To Let My Child Watch Television?

Babies are fascinated by the television from an early age. Drawn in by the sounds and moving images on the TV, they can sit there transfixed, ignoring their toys, and everything else for that matter while the TV is on!

Can It Affect Development?

The first two years are especially important for a child's development. At this age they are continually learning new things and developing their brain, which is why interaction with adults and other children is crucial at this age. The American Academy of Pediatrics states 'Too much television can negatively affect early brain development. This is especially true at younger ages, when learning to talk and play with others is so important. The average UK household watches 4 hours of television a day. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no TV for children under 2 years and between 1-2 hours a day for older children. For many parents of under 2's, not letting their children watch any TV at all is an impossible standard to adhere to.

Many programmes are designed to be educational, aimed at teaching children numbers, words, and the alphabet. Others incorporate music, giving children the chance to dance around the living room, and join in songs. Some have story time and rhymes, which help children learn words. Many parents believe watching a small amount of TV each day helps their children learn songs and new words, as well as keeping them entertained while mum or dad gets on with something.

Other parents use television as a way of getting a much needed rest. Having a sit down and a cup of tea to recharge your batteries while your child watches a program can help you feel refreshed and give you energy to carry on with your day together!

The Pros and Cons

Being aware of the pros and cons of letting your child watch television means you, as a parent, can decide whether to let your child watch TV, and if so, how much. If you do decide to let your child watch TV, set sensible TV viewing limits, such as their favourite program and then turn it off (as well as limiting TV watching, this sets good habits for later). Don't use the TV as a babysitter, or as a substitute for quality interaction with your child. Make sure your child has lots of interaction with adults and other children. Don't have the TV on in the background, as even if your child isn't watching it, the constant noise can interfere with language development.