The small screen sometimes invades our lives, but it remains an essential component of our life that has become very technological. Here are some ways to better manage television viewing.
Kids would sometimes watch TV all day much to our dismay, but we are also drawn to it and our favorite shows. We want to dose the TV viewing, but we also know that it also often saves our lives when the little ones are finally wise and quiet because they are in front of the screen.
It's no secret: not everything is dark with television. It can be educational as well as entertaining. And this is very well so! The problem is especially that sometimes it can be invasive. It is then up to us, as parents, to establish rules so that she takes a place in your child's life, a place that you choose, without her taking up all the space in his day.
In fact, what if we just had to find the right balance to enjoy the good sides of television without it creating an unhe althy dependency or becoming a source of conflict?
How to balance TV viewing?
- Set clear rules for TV. For example, we can decide that in the morning, your child can listen to it only if he is ready to leave. Evening? 15 or 30 minutes before homework, but then we only open it again if the lessons are over.
- Get into the habit of listening – at least with one ear and one eye – to the shows your children watch. Thus, you can monitor the content, but above all you can discuss it with him. Television must not become a solo or parallel activity that takes you away from your child.
- Ask yourself about your own TV-watching habit. Our children imitate us, let's not forget that.
- If your child refuses to go outside to play or do other activities, always preferring to stare at the small screen, there is a problem.
- Vary the types of programs listened to. A documentary? A report? Sports shows? Trivia games? Why not?
- If the television is in a common place, it will be easier to manage listening. Watch out for TVs in the bedrooms. Otherwise, set rules from the start.
- Define what you allow them to listen to and what is prohibited. Shows that are violent or have offensive language? Veto. “Don't hesitate to forbid certain shows, even when your children's friends have permission to watch them. It is your right to protect your children from inappropriate content, and they will be all the more accepting of your concerns if they see them as a show of affection,”reads on Réseau-Éducation-Média.
- Develop critical thinking in your children by asking them about what they listen to, what they understand, etc. Television is not just a passive activity.
- Turn off the television. Simple rule, but notice how often it is left open without anyone looking at it.
The good sides of television for children
- Its ability to create powerful imaginary referents allows young people to share these cultural experiences with others.
- TV gives everyone in the family the opportunity to spend time together.
- Parents can use TV as a catalyst to get children to read: by exploring a subject in depth with books or by consulting authors whose work has been adapted for a show.
- Quality programs can convey important values and teach life lessons to children.
- The shows often deal with sensitive or controversial topics, which can facilitate discussion between parents and children.
- Educational programs can develop socialization and learning skills in young children.
- News, current affairs and historical programs can help young people learn about other peoples and cultures.
- Documentaries can develop critical thinking about society and the world.
- Television can initiate yourfamily to Hollywood classics and other foreign films not available at your video store.
- Cultural programming can open young people up to music and the arts.
