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Frequently Asked Questions
How much TV is too much?
I've tried everything, but my child is still watching too much TV. What can I do?
How do I know whether a program is good for kids?
Can TV really help my child grow?
How can I help my child get more out of TV?
What if I don't know the answers to my child's questions?
Do follow-up activities have to be messy to be fun?
What's on the Web?
How much TV is
too much?
The National PTA, the National Association
for the Education of Young Children, and the American
Academy of Pediatrics recommend that your child watch
no more than two hours a day (Source: The Smart Parent's
Guide to Kids' TV by Milton Chen). Have your child
ask before turning on the TV. Set a time limit for turning
it off again, and follow up to make sure.
Tip: What your child watches is
also important – choose non-violent, educational
programming like the shows you can find on PBS.
I've tried everything,
but my child is still watching too much TV. What can
I do?
Don't get discouraged. Your child
won't change overnight. Try cutting back gradually on
the amount of TV she watches. Work toward a target that's
a few weeks away. Help her choose programs that fit
within the time limits. Gently remind her when TV time
is over for the day, and take a few minutes to help
her get started on a new activity.
Tip: Move the TV to a public area.
This makes it harder to sneak a peek.
Tip: How much TV are you watching?
Set an example by cutting back on your own viewing.
Then do something together to fill the time you'd normally
be watching TV.
How do I know
whether a program is good for kids?
Ask yourself a few questions: Will
the program expose children to good role models? Will
it help them understand and explore their world? Will
it awaken their curiosity? Will it encourage their social
skills? Quality children's television should do all
of these.
Can TV really
help my child grow?
Yes! But it takes some work on your
part. In addition to watching programs with your child
and talking about them afterward, you also need to help
her choose challenging shows. Convince her to try something
different from what she normally watches – for
instance, a nature show instead of cartoons. Or maybe
it's time to introduce her to quality programming for
the next age group. Gently push your child to get more
out of TV. But remember that doing something new is
usually hard and you'll need to help her, especially
at first.
Tip: As your child gets older,
encourage her to watch part of a documentary, nature
special, or other adult educational program with you.
Even if she doesn't understand everything she sees,
it can inspire her to learn more. Follow up with activities
that help her do just that.
How can I help
my child get more out of TV?
You can help your child make sense
of what he watches by talking with him afterward. Ask
questions that encourage him to think. What did he like
best? What did he learn from the program? Was there
anything he didn't understand? Is there something he
wants to find out more about? Chatting with your child
– even briefly – helps him make sense of what
he has seen.
Tip: You don't always have to watch
a whole program together. But sitting with your child
for at least a few minutes makes it easier for you to
talk with him afterward. It also lets him know that
you are interested in what he's doing.
What if I don't
know the answers to my child's questions?
The secret is, you don't need to be
a walking encyclopedia. Let your child see that adults
don't always have all the answers, but show her it's
worth the effort to search. Next time she stumps you
with a question, say "I don't know, but let's see
if we can find out!" Then track down the answer
together.
Tip: Knowing how to search for
answers is just as important as knowing what the answers
are.
Tip: Be sure to have paper and
pencils around the house. That way, it's easy to write
down questions for later.
Do follow-up activities
have to be messy to be fun?
When kids experiment, it can lead
to a certain amount of chaos. To minimize your stress,
set aside an area where your child can work worry-free.
Teach your child to protect the floor or table top with
a sheet of plastic, and provide rags or paper towels
for emergencies. Agree on a few basic ground rules –
for example, no painting unless you're home. Set expectations
for when the area must be cleaned up: once a week, once
a day, or after each activity. By creating a safe space
for experiments, you encourage your child's natural
curiosity about the surrounding world.
Tip: Try not to sweat the small
stuff. Show your child that learning is an exciting
adventure-one that's not always neat and tidy.
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