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Home › Webmother's Musings

Healthy Balance Is the Key

By Elisa Ast All

Remember Tom chasing Jerry, Sylvester swallowing Tweety Bird and the Coyote desperately pursuing the Roadrunner? I lost track of how many times they were hit, smashed and even blown up. The cartoons we grew up with were quite violent; in fact, I won't let my own kids watch them. However, my children do watch some other kids programming. There is so much more available for them today than we ever had – and a lot of it is quite good.

Old stand-bys like Sesame Street and Zoom are still popular and educational, but add to the mix shows like Dragon Tales, which teaches kids life lessons such as sharing; Between the Lions, which promotes reading readiness; and Dora the Explorer, which enhances problem-solving skills with a bilingual approach, and you've got children's television at its best.

Television can be a unique tool for learning. Seeing characters act out an idea helps kids put abstract concepts into context, aiding them in utilizing the newfound knowledge in their own lives. I've seen this played out with my own children. One morning, our son, CJ, was fighting over a toy with his sister Cassie. They had seen a Dragon Tales episode where two characters had to compromise and share something they had built together. I reminded the kids about this. "Do you remember when Max and Ord had to share the art project?" I asked. Their eyes got round as saucers as they thought about the situation. "Max took a turn, then Ord took a turn," CJ replied. "Do you think you can do that with the toy?" I asked. "I guess so," he said, handing it to his sister. "But I get it back in two minutes!"

In certain situations, helpful characters and solid plot lines can help parents through some tough pickles. However, there are limits as to how much television – and what type of programming – is suitable for kids. When TV becomes a substitute for parental attention and interaction, it's a problem. When it becomes a habit kids choose over reading or playing, it's a concern. And when television is used as an electronic babysitter, it's time to re-think your TV strategy. The enjoyment of television should be considered a reward after homework is completed, a way to relax after an invigorating soccer game or even to occupy curious kids when Mom or Dad needs a shower. But it's not a replacement for time spent with parents or other children.

As with so many things in life, the key to healthy television viewing is in the balance you strike. Make sure that you select educational programming that is age-appropriate for your kids, and that they are watching only a limited amount, such as one hour per day.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) discourages the viewing of television for kids younger than 2, and advises parents to have children's bedrooms be "electronic media-free" rooms. In addition, they urge parents to monitor what children see and hear on television, movies and in music. "Children are affected by what they see and hear, particularly in these times of violent images," according to the AAP. "Talk to your children about 'content.' If you feel that a movie or TV program is inappropriate, redirect your child to more suitable programming."