Saturday, October 8, 2011

TV Smarts from the Start

Be active viewers.

Avoid sending the message that TV is what stops people from talking to one another. Instead, make programming a starting point for encouraging curiosity about how things work and what things look like. Though children who are very young do not have the cognitive capacity to analyze programs, they can share their responses with you. Get your child accustomed to talking about what he sees and hears when watching TV, instead of falling into a passive, unquestioning state.

Remember that socializing comes first.

Talking, playing games, cuddling and other forms of socializing are one of the most important parts of your child's development. When possible fit these interactions into TV time. Even the simple act of sitting near one another while you view a video or program will contribute to a feeling of being together instead of reinforcing the notion that TV is a solitary experience. If you do not have time to watch TV with your child, look for alternatives for him, like playing with siblings or friends. Keep the TV set (or sets) in communal places in your home and out of individual bedrooms.

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