|
#1
ENCOURAGE ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES
As
tempting as it may be, avoid using TV as your babysitter. Engage
with your children instead: read, talk, play, and create with them.
Don't let the TV displace what's important: family conversation,
exercise, play, reading, creating, and thinking. Involve children
in household activities and meal preparation. Give them an opportunity
to help out, and tell them you appreciate their help. (For more
ideas on alternative activities, see TV-Turnoff Network's "101
Screen Free Activities.")
#2
STRUCTURE THE PHYSICAL SPACE TO ENCOURAGE ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES
Instead
of a television being the centerpiece of a room, move it to a less
prominent location in the home, even a closet. TV is far less tempting
when it is not accessible. Set up other options for children to
play: a play space, a crafts table, a sports area, a garden space,
a cozy book area, a music corner, or a nature table for children
to keep treasures from outdoor walks.
#3
PLACE CLEAR LIMITS ON TELEVISION VIEWING
Limit
your child's use of TV, movies, and video and computer games to
no more than one or two hours a day (and none at all if your child
is younger than two. Increase the family time by not allowing TV
viewing during meals or a TV set in your child's bedroom. Explain
your rules in positive, concrete terms such as, "Let's turnoff
the TV so we can..." instead of, "You can't watch TV!"
#4
PLAN YOUR CHILD'S VIEWING
*Start
by involving your children. Have them chart all the TV shows they
watch in a week. Discuss which programs are worthwhile and which
programs can be dropped.
*Look for TV shows with "nutritious content"-shows with
positive characters and values. Select programs that build interest
in other activities such as reading, athletics, hobbies, and play.
*Help your children get in the habit of watching one TV program,
then turning the TV off, and doing something else.
*Replace TV with educational, non-violent videos. If possible, preview
programs before your kids see them. Use your TV's V-chip to screen
programming which you feel isn't developmentally
appropriate for your child.
#5
WATCH TV WITH YOUR CHILD
Whenever
possible, watch TV with your child and talk about what you see.
If your child is very young, he or she may not be able to tell the
difference between a show, a commercial, a cartoon, or real life.
Explain that characters on TV are make-believe and not real. TV
programming, including the news, often contains violent or inappropriate
material. If your schedule prevents you from watching TV with your
child, talk to him or her later about what was watched. Better yet,
videotape the programs so that you can watch them at a later time.
By videotaping them, you can stop programs for discussion and fast-forward
through commercials.
#6
FIND THE RIGHT MESSAGE...YOURS
Use
controversial programming as a stepping-off point to initiate discussions
about family values, violence, sex and sexuality, and drugs. If
a TV program perpetuates stereotypes, talk with your child about
the real-life roles of those being stereotyped-typically women,
the elderly, and people of other races. Discuss ways that people
are different and ways that people are the same. Help your child
learn tolerance for others. As a parent, you are your child's first
and most influential teacher. Television, though, is a close second.
|
