Should Preschoolers Choose What to Watch on TV?

Watching 30 minutes of television a day is certainly acceptable for a preschooler. Since you are the adult, it is up to you to set the rules for your child’s entertainment. Often, parents forget that their son is in the room while they are watching Soap Operas, the News, or Talk Shows. Even though he may play with his farm and animals, he hears and watches what happens on the screen. Why burden his mind with pictures of starving children, bedroom scenes, or foul language? Therefore, it is a good idea to have a set TV time. That is the only time of the day your child may watch a show. This could be part of his bedtime routine, calming down before dinner, or when getting up from nap. If you treat TV time as a planned activity, your child will learn to sit down with you and enjoy the program. As difficult as it seems, it is also best if parents follow the same example when it comes to their adult shows: Only watch when Junior is not around.

You can never go wrong with the favorites from PBS. Not only are the shows free of violence, inappropriate language, or sexual contents, they also run commercial free. Ads geared towards children are overwhelming and unnecessary.

Shows such as Arthur and Sesame Street share daily life situations. Their emphasis is on social development and feelings. They are all about family. Your child can relate to the stories. This makes it so easy to exchange comments and compare similar experiences while watching together.

Curious George and Peep and the Big Wide World focus on Math and Science. These programs are about problem solving, language development, and understanding nature. They also foster children’s beginning sense of humor.

Then there is Clifford the Big Red Dog. It is a wonderful show that teaches the components of friendship: Kindness, Honesty, Respect, Loyalty, and Cooperation. It is during these early years that children learn how to get along in the world. It is our job to expose them to the best examples available. PBS for Kids takes the guesswork out of whether or not a show is appropriate. Sesame Street has been around for a very long time. There is a good reason for that. It is a quality program for children. Even you may remember watching it, and loving it.


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