You are a parent because you have authority over your child. This means you get to determine every aspect of their lives, even what they watch.
I know I must model good behavior for my child, so I don’t want him watching bad behaviors modelled on tv. Children will, in fact, copy those behaviors.
- Anonymous Parent.
Children are very impressionable. As they are in their developmental stages, anything they see is going to be remembered.
According to MSU Extension, research shows that young children watch an average of three hours of TV daily. Do you think your children are not learning from their TV shows? They are!
In fact, with as little as 20 seconds of TV, toddlers as young as 14 months can repeat actions observed during videos. What do you think a young child could learn in an hour of being glued to the screen?
Parents should take extra care with what they decide to allow their children to watch in this age of technology and advancement.
Dangers of your child watching bad shows
Some parents might not realize the dangers of letting their children watch certain TV shows. Handing over your responsibility as a parent to the TV will come back to haunt you.
These are some trends I have noticed from children who watch shows that aren’t meant for them:
Reduced Attention Span:
Allowing your child to watch fast-paced or flashy shows could affect their attention span. Due to the constant stimulation of the brain, the child can get bored easily if he or she gets a drop in the stimulating content.
This is why we see children’s inability to pay attention in classes or not listen to you when trying to correct their actions.
Some shows like Cocomelon are very addictive due to the flashy colors and constant change of scenes.
Disrespectful or Inappropriate Language:
Another thing to be cautious about when selecting shows for your child is the kind of language used in the show.
If you can, try to skim through the show and make sure you agree with everything that is being said or you could go online and research about the show.
Shows like Family Guy and American Dad are inappropriate for children due to the extreme language used, even though they are cartoons.
Aggressive Behavior:
When your child becomes hooked on some certain shows they start to act out or become unnecessarily violent.
If you notice your child stomping their feet, huffing, puffing, or suddenly shouting when angry, they may have picked up these habits from the shows they watch.
Some shows drop some hint of bad behaviors which children are quick to pick up on.
Unhealthy Habits or Attitudes:
As a parent, you don’t want your child to become jealous, materialistic and insatiable. There are shows which treat the children as if they are royalty.
You want to avoid shows like this to prevent your child from growing into behaviors you would later regret.
Shows like Nastya where the daughter is treated like a goddess and everything is done for her can rub off wrong on your child.
Not all TV shows are harmful, and some can actually encourage positive behaviors and learning.
Shows Your Child Should Be Watching
Bluey is an inexhaustible blue-heeler puppy, who lives with her mum, dad and little sister Bingo. She likes to laugh and have fun but more than anything else she loves to play games with her family.
Bluey is endlessly curious too. Even when she’s nervous about trying something new, like walking to the creek or going to the movies, she always discovers something wonderful about the big wide world around her.
The most important thing in Bluey’s life is her family and friends and she loves to share her new games, songs and wild adventures with them.
Using Fred Rogers' landmark social-emotional learning curriculum and a series of catchy "strategy songs"
The show helps young children manage emotions and develop key social and emotional skills while exploring, growing, singing and creating with Daniel Tiger and his preschool friends.
The series follows the exploits of Odd Squad, an organization run entirely by children, that solves peculiar problems using math skills.
Often, they cannot solve the problem at the scene and must go back to their precinct's headquarters or the "Mathroom" and can unfold them to display information to help the agents see connections and better solve their case.
The series follows 10-year-old Molly Shahnyaa Mabray, an Alaska Native from the fictional village of Qyah, and her family, friends Tooey Ookami and Trini Mumford, her Malamute Suki, and other residents.
Her family runs the Denali Trading Post. The series also teaches children literacy skills through informational texts and communication.
Remember the TV shouldn’t do the parenting of your child. Try to limit their screen time to 2-3 hours and involve them in other activities.
If you’re considering daycare, Redeemers Learning Center invites you to explore what our facility has to offer.
Schedule a tour today to learn more about how we can provide a nurturing and engaging environment for your child’s growth and development.
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