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How
to handle your child's TV time
Tired of telling
your children to stop being couch potatoes?
If you have realized that you cannot stop your children from watching TV,
here are tips that at least help you to get the best out of the idiot box.
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Select the
programmes your children watch
Choose the programmes your children should watch, of course keeping
in mind their likes and dislikes. As far as possible, avoid the overdose
of sex and violence that is integral to many TV programmes. It adversely
affects impressionable minds. You should be able to clearly underline the
programmes not meant for children, at least in the initial years. This
task is not easy, but one can make a dent when the children are in their
formative years.
-
Watch with
them
Let TV time be family time. While answering your children's queries
about television, try to understand their thinking processes. Not
only will that establish your rapport with your children, but it will mean
quality time that will be cherished throughout life.
-
Arouse their
curiosity
Ask them questions related to their favorite programmes. TV can be
a learning experience if TV watching is made interactive by nature. For
instance, while watching a science quiz/mythological serial/chat show,
ask them to relate to their classroom experiences.
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TV time should
never be overlapped with meals
Doctors often warn against watching television during dinnertime. Watching
TV while eating can cause severe and chronic indigestion. It can also lead
to obesity as children sit glued to the TV set. Moreover, they do not enjoy
food while concentrating on their favorite programmes. They have to be
taught to ration their TV viewing. Otherwise, they will never enjoy other
forms of entertainment like reading, outdoor games and sports, swimming
and various performing arts. Children have to be consciously introduced
to these avenues.
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Discourage
late night television viewing
Children, especially the school-going kind, should never be allowed
to watch TV after ten' o'clock in the night. Not only does it affect the
eyesight, but it also disturbs the morning routine on the next day. Inculcate
the `early-to-bed' `early to rise' habit in your little ones.
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