Did You Know?

Taming the TV
Does your TV spend more time with you kids than you do? Are you worried about what they see and learn? If so, it may be time to rethink your family viewing habits.

TV Facts

• Most 2 to 5 year olds watch TV an average of 31 hours each week, or more than 4 hours each day.
• Prime time TV has an average of 6 violent acts every hour; children’s programming has an average of 26 violent acts every hour.
• Only 10% of children’s viewing time is spent watching children’s television; the other 90% is spent watching programs designed for adults.

“Wow! I didn’t know all of that. But what can I do as a parent to limit the negative effects of TV violence?”

• Change the channel or turn off the TV when something offensive or violent comes one.
• Verbally show disapproval of violent episodes.
• Emphasize the belief that violent behavior is not the best way to solve a problem.

Recommended Standards
To assist schools, the National Association of Elementary School Principals has developed recommended standards that are very similar to those outlined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The recommendations include:

• Schools should be ready for the child and not expect the child to be ready for the school.
• Since young children learn best through direct sensory encounters, learning should be the outcome of hands-on experience, especially play.
• Children should be assessed and measured by observation, not tested for success or failure. Letter grades should not be used.
• Children will learn more quickly if they have been read to, have acted out what they have learned, have touched the objects described, have seen some of the places or people described, and so forth.

Source: Iowa State University Extension, Parenting Pipeline