Research3

Research Example: TV & Children; Television, Health and Development - How much TV?

Source:

TV & Children: Television, Health and Development 

http://depts.washington.edu/tvhealth/materials/third-party-resources/TV-Children-Television-Health-Development.pdf

My Topic:
TV influences kids in a negative way.

What I hope to learn from this source:
I want to find the kind of topicality that clarifies my argument.

Notes:

1. How much television do children watch? The average American child watches 20 to 30 hours of television per week, not including time spent watching movies, playing video games, or using the computer.

• A national survey of television use found that preschoolers watch about 2.6 hours per day, and 31% of preschoolers have a television in their bedroom.

• A child who watches more than two hours of television per day by the age of two, is more likely to increase television viewing hours by the age of six.

2. How much TV is too much? 

Children who watch television for 10 hours or more per week are less skilled at reading and are less successful in school than children who watch less than 10 hours per week. The American Academy of Pediatrics makes the following recommendations regarding  television: (See additional materials for the full AAP Policy Statement on Children, Adolescents, and Television)

• Television viewing should not exceed one to two hours of quality programming daily. 

• Children younger than two years old should not watch television. 

 3. Why do children watch so much TV? 

The television viewing habits of parents and siblings influences a child’s TV viewing habits more than any other factor (16). Children may also watch more TV due to a: 

• Lack of other activities offered in the community (8) • Lack of safety outside the home (8) 

• Lack of interaction with their parents (8) 

• More programs geared towards children (21, 22) 

• A television in their bedroom (6, 27)

4. How can we reduce television viewing? 

Fortunately, classroom programs aimed at reducing television viewing have been successful (11, 19). Also, parents are motivated to protect the health of their children, and are motivated by a child’s enthusiasm. Early childhood educators can: 

• Get children interested in activities other than television. 

• Educate children and their families on why reducing television time may be healthier. 

• Provide ideas for replacing television with more active and interactive alternatives. 

• Provide information about healthy eating habits. 

• Provide support and resources to families as they make decisions about the use of television in their homes. 

 

 

Final Thoughts:

This source gave me more information about the TV usage. Now I can write an essay about my topic.