How to Monitor Your Preschooler's TV Viewing
Choose according to your child's age., Be aware of how many hours of TV your child has watched every week, as well as what she is watching., Learn about what current TV programs, videos and DVDs are available., Find the classics as well., Use online...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Choose according to your child's age.
Choose the shows that provide activities and values that you want your child to see, learn and imitate.
To this end, it is important to look for TV shows that: teach your child something hold his interest encourage him to listen and question help him learn more words make him feel good about himself; and introduce him to new ideas and things. -
Step 2: Be aware of how many hours of TV your child has watched every week
Either note down or keep a record in your head of each week's viewing hours.
Some experts recommend that children limit their TV watching to no more than 2 hours a day.
However, it's up to you to decide how much TV and what kinds of programs your child should watch. , It is important that you help your child to select good ones.
Some current good choices for preschoolers include: "Sesame Street"
"Mister Rogers' Neighborhood"
"Blue's Clues"
"Between the Lions"
"Reading Rainbow"
"Barney & Friends"
"Zoom"
and "Zoboomafoo"
are some shows that you may want to try.
Many other good children's programs are available on public television stations and on cable channels such as the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon. , You may remember enjoying certain series when you were young and want your child to enjoy these too.
If you have a VCR or DVD player, look for video or DVD versions of classic children's stories and books, such as the Babar stories and the Children's Circle series, "Stories for the Very Young" and "More Stories for the Very Young." For your very young child, try the "Baby Einstein" series. , Do some research with reputable sites that are concerned with the quality and content of children's programming.
Parents' Choice, a quarterly review of children's media, including TV programs and home video materials, can help you to choose titles that are suitable for your child.Common Sense Media is a non-profit organization keen to ensure that parents have access to quality information about media products aimed at children, including TV.You can also read about programs in TV columns in newspapers and magazines.
Cable subscribers and public broadcasting contributors can check monthly program guides for information. , After selecting programs that are appropriate for your child, help her decide which ones she wants to watch.
Turn on the TV when one of these programs starts and turn it off when the program ends.
Watch TV with your child.
This will help you answer questions and talk about what he sees.
Pay special attention to how he responds, so that you can help him to understand what he's seeing.
Read Have Fun Watching TV Shows for Small Children for some ideas on coping yourself! , Have your child tell you a new word that she learned from a TV program.
Together, look up the word in a dictionary and talk about its meaning.
Or have her make up her own story about one of her favorite characters from a TV program.
Include the whole family in discussion and activities or games that relate to TV programs.
Visit the library to find books that explore the themes of the TV shows that your child watches.
Or help your child to use her drawings or pictures cut from magazines to make a book based on a TV show. , Make certain that TV isn't used as a babysitter.
Instead, balance good television with other enjoyable activities for your child.
You don't need to be present or directing everything that your child does when playing with toys, reading, enjoying the mud in the backyard, etc. – it is just as important that he learns to find out about things for himself, including how to bust boredom using his imagination! -
Step 3: as well as what she is watching.
-
Step 4: Learn about what current TV programs
-
Step 5: videos and DVDs are available.
-
Step 6: Find the classics as well.
-
Step 7: Use online resources to help you make good choices for your children.
-
Step 8: Help your child to make good choices about what to watch.
-
Step 9: Follow-up TV viewing with activities or games.
-
Step 10: Allow for creative time without TV.
Detailed Guide
Choose the shows that provide activities and values that you want your child to see, learn and imitate.
To this end, it is important to look for TV shows that: teach your child something hold his interest encourage him to listen and question help him learn more words make him feel good about himself; and introduce him to new ideas and things.
Either note down or keep a record in your head of each week's viewing hours.
Some experts recommend that children limit their TV watching to no more than 2 hours a day.
However, it's up to you to decide how much TV and what kinds of programs your child should watch. , It is important that you help your child to select good ones.
Some current good choices for preschoolers include: "Sesame Street"
"Mister Rogers' Neighborhood"
"Blue's Clues"
"Between the Lions"
"Reading Rainbow"
"Barney & Friends"
"Zoom"
and "Zoboomafoo"
are some shows that you may want to try.
Many other good children's programs are available on public television stations and on cable channels such as the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon. , You may remember enjoying certain series when you were young and want your child to enjoy these too.
If you have a VCR or DVD player, look for video or DVD versions of classic children's stories and books, such as the Babar stories and the Children's Circle series, "Stories for the Very Young" and "More Stories for the Very Young." For your very young child, try the "Baby Einstein" series. , Do some research with reputable sites that are concerned with the quality and content of children's programming.
Parents' Choice, a quarterly review of children's media, including TV programs and home video materials, can help you to choose titles that are suitable for your child.Common Sense Media is a non-profit organization keen to ensure that parents have access to quality information about media products aimed at children, including TV.You can also read about programs in TV columns in newspapers and magazines.
Cable subscribers and public broadcasting contributors can check monthly program guides for information. , After selecting programs that are appropriate for your child, help her decide which ones she wants to watch.
Turn on the TV when one of these programs starts and turn it off when the program ends.
Watch TV with your child.
This will help you answer questions and talk about what he sees.
Pay special attention to how he responds, so that you can help him to understand what he's seeing.
Read Have Fun Watching TV Shows for Small Children for some ideas on coping yourself! , Have your child tell you a new word that she learned from a TV program.
Together, look up the word in a dictionary and talk about its meaning.
Or have her make up her own story about one of her favorite characters from a TV program.
Include the whole family in discussion and activities or games that relate to TV programs.
Visit the library to find books that explore the themes of the TV shows that your child watches.
Or help your child to use her drawings or pictures cut from magazines to make a book based on a TV show. , Make certain that TV isn't used as a babysitter.
Instead, balance good television with other enjoyable activities for your child.
You don't need to be present or directing everything that your child does when playing with toys, reading, enjoying the mud in the backyard, etc. – it is just as important that he learns to find out about things for himself, including how to bust boredom using his imagination!
About the Author
Brian Diaz
Specializes in breaking down complex lifestyle topics into simple steps.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: