Is Watching TV Bad For Babies?
How many of us, parents, are guilty of using the TV as a babysitter? TV is so often our answer to keeping the kids happy whilst we go about our daily chores: cook dinner, chat on the phone, do the laundry, etc.
However, research has shown that the electronic babysitter is not an educational aid. Studies examining lower-income as well as higher-income families have shown that TV watching not only isn’t educational but it seems to stunt babies’ development.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that children under two years old should not watch any TV and that children older than two shouldn’t watch more than one or two hours of TV a day. The researchers are of the opinion that watching TV wastes babies’ alert time since babies sleep about 12 hours a day. As parents, we can better spend the time that our baby is awake by speaking “baby talk” and engaging in interactive activities that TV can’t provide. Talking, playing, and interactions with our babies are essential to learning and development.
What’s more, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association recommends a variety of exercises to help babies construct thought processes like remembering, problem solving and decision-making. These exercises include using eye contact, engaging in back-and-forth conversation, playing “finger games” (like peek-a-boo) and reading to a child. When babies are on their own, games like playing with blocks are beneficial.
Experts have linked problems in children such as childhood obesity, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and aggression to excessive TV watching. Some advocacy groups are concerned about the violence that children see on “non-educational” TV shows. The AAP estimates that if a child watches between three and four hours of TV a day, he will see 8,000 murders before he starts middle school.
Some of you may ask: “What about good educational TV?” Well, the good news is that some research shows certain TV shows such as the popular “Sesame Street” with toddlers as the target audience do help development.
If your child is watching TV, the AAP and other experts recommend that you watch it with him. When you watch TV together with your child, you can explain problems with a show or things your child doesn’t understand. It will also add to bonding time.
The general consensus seems to be that even supposedly educational television can be harmful to children under two. Whilst parent-child interaction is important at any age, it is especially important for babies. Parent-child interaction is certainly something that you cannot replace with a screen.
So, the next time you are tempted to put your baby in front of the TV so that you can have some “ME” time, think again.
