Know what to do when your child has a strong response to something on TV — and what the developmental roots of that response may be.
If your child is frightened, holding him or offering a favorite stuffed animal or blanket is likely to be more comforting than a rationalizing comment like, "There's no reason to be scared." If your child acts aggressively, imitating physical or make-believe violence, block access to shows and movies that depict characters behaving badly. If your child demands certain toys or foods that she's seen advertised, limiting commercial programming may reduce her insatiable desires. If your child becomes fixated on a single show or movie, requesting to see it repeatedly, keep in mind that he is likely figuring something out, which is not harmful. If your child becomes excited and wants to try something new that a character has done, give it a whirl, assuming it's safe and, ideally, imaginative.
If your child is frightened, holding him or offering a favorite stuffed animal or blanket is likely to be more comforting than a rationalizing comment like, "There's no reason to be scared." If your child acts aggressively, imitating physical or make-believe violence, block access to shows and movies that depict characters behaving badly. If your child demands certain toys or foods that she's seen advertised, limiting commercial programming may reduce her insatiable desires. If your child becomes fixated on a single show or movie, requesting to see it repeatedly, keep in mind that he is likely figuring something out, which is not harmful. If your child becomes excited and wants to try something new that a character has done, give it a whirl, assuming it's safe and, ideally, imaginative.
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