Do your kids watch too much TV?

Many children indulge in TV long before they start school. According to studies, children as young as two are watching up to two hours of television per day, and at three, they already know how to turn the TV on and work a smart phone or tablet.

So what’s the harm of excessive TV watching?

- Concentration, learning and sleeping difficulties
- Inactivity – sitting for long periods of time
- Obesity – more likely to snack and at the hands of junk food commercials
- Eye problems early and later in life
- Other long term health risks such as high blood pressure and diabetes
- The first two years of life is a critical time for brain development and it is recommended that children under the age of two should not watch any television at all. Above this age, viewing time should be restricted and supervised.

Here are some great solutions and TV alternatives to implement in your home:

- Limit the number of hours your children watch TV
- Use children’s DVD’s as something to be earned, not something that is expected on a daily basis – i.e., after the toys have been cleared away or the dishes are done
- Stock the TV room with kids’ magazines, books, puzzles, toys and board games to provide other means of entertainment and stimulation
- Plan an ‘outside family night’ during the week where you all take the dog for a walk, or go to the park to kick a ball about
- Set a good example and limit your own TV watching
- Don’t allow homework to be done in front of the television
- Keep TV’s and computers out of kids’ bedrooms
- Don’t allow young children to eat meals whilst watching TV
- Practice allocated TV viewing such as together as a family on a Saturday night, or one hour per day during the week
- The possibilities for fun without the TV are endless – so keep it off and make the most of the new variety of things to enjoy, as well as the quality time spent together.