Study: Background TV Bad for Early Development

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http://kidshealth.org/research/background_tv.html

 

 

Study: Background TV Bad for Early Development

Numerous studies have been critical of TV-watching, saying too

much contributes to childhood obesity and, depending on the content, increases

aggressive behavior. Now, new research suggests that it's not just what and

how often

kids are watching TV that parents need to be aware of — it's what they're

hearing,

too.

According to a recent study, the background noise and distraction

of parents' TV-viewing disrupts play behavior and may negatively affect young

kids' early cognitive development and ability to focus their attention.

Researchers put 50 1-, 2-, and 3-year-olds, one a time, and their

parents in a room full of age-appropriate toys for an hour. The children played

for 30 minutes with a TV turned off and the other 30 minutes with an adult game

show (with commercials) turned on.

Calling " background television " (that children don't

understand or really pay attention to) an " environmental risk factor in

children's development, " the study found that the TV interfered with the

kids' playing across all three ages. When the TV was on, children in each age

range spent less time playing or being focused on their playing (frequently

switching toys), even though they never actually looked at the TV for more than

a few seconds.

And the tiny tots weren't just missing out on having fun —

play is about so much more than just tinkering with toys. In fact, play (and

lots of it) is essential to the development of kids' brains and bodies.

That's just one of the reasons why the American Academy of

Pediatrics (AAP) recommends zero " screen time " (TV or videos) for

tots under 2 and no more than 1 to 2 hours of quality programming (TV,

computer, or video games) each day for older kids. Yet, this study points to

previous research showing that 75% of U.S. households with very young kids keep

the tube on at least half the time, whether anyone's watching it or not.

And although this latest study's researchers admit that " even

though the effects of background television on play behavior found in this

study are small, they may have a cumulative impact through large amounts of

exposure at home. "

What This Means to You

In addition to following AAP recommendations to limit screen time,

make TV viewing in your household as productive as possible:

 

Make

sure programs are nonviolent, educational, and age-appropriate.

Turn

off the TV during meals and while your child is playing or in the room.

Set

a good example — limit your own screen time.

Preview

programs before

your child watches them.

Watch

shows with your kids — at least the first few minutes to assess the

tone and appropriateness, then check in throughout the show. Whenever you

can, try to sit down with your kids to watch a whole show, using it as

an ideal opportunity to bond and educate. Ask and answer questions about

what you see (shapes, colors, numbers, letters, emotions, scary or

confusing situations, conflicts, etc.).

Keep

TVs out of kids' bedrooms. Having a TV in their rooms can have negative

effects on their academic, social, and physical development.

Offer

fun alternatives to TV: hide and seek, playing outside, reading, crafts or

hobbies, listening and dancing to music, etc. Have plenty of other

entertainment (like books, kids' magazines, toys, dress-up clothes,

puzzles, board games, coloring books, and crayons) on hand.

Try

a weekday ban. Record shows or save TV and videos for weekends so you'll

have more family time for meals, games, physical activity, reading, and

just spending quality time with your kids.

 

A little screen time is OK, but don't keep it on constantly (even

if it's just you who's technically watching). Stick to enriching programs

in moderation, and don't use TV as a substitute for activities that are much

better suited to helping kids grow and develop as they should (like playing,

exercising, reading, or hanging out with you).

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD

Date reviewed: July 2008

Source: " The Effects of Background Television on the Toy Play

Behavior of Very Young Children, " Child Development,

July/August 2008.