Your Preschooler or Toddler: TV & Computer

You already know that to whatever degree TV becomes a habit, it creates a watcher instead of a doer.  You may not know that TV can sabotage kids as they learn to read -- for more info on that, click here.  And if you still think it's fine for your toddler or preschooler to watch TV, you might want to check out the discussion on TV in the Parents Forum (Click here).

But don't be seduced by the computer, either.  I know, it not only babysits, it teaches your child to read! And it really is better than TV because it's interactive. But most experts  recommend that you delay introducing the computer, or strictly limit their time on it.

Why? Because kids this age have other, very important developmental work to do. Fantasy play, building with blocks, artwork, social interaction with their peers and siblings, cooking with their parents, climbing trees and swinging, looking at books. These activities help your preschooler's brain develop optimally.  TV and Computer stimulate your child's brain to develop differently, and many of those changes seem to have to do with shortening their attention spans and reducing their impulse control.

There's another, crucial, reason not to let your preschooler spend a lot of time on the computer.  Would you let your child engage in any other daily activity likely to cause physical health problems by the time they’re in their twenties?  Preschool kids who use the computer an hour a day are laying the groundwork for very serious carpal tunnel and computer based eyestrain. 

Finally, we don't have a lot of solid research on this yet, but preliminary studies indicate that TV and computer games change brain development.  They shorten attention spans and heighten aggression, at least temporarily, and maybe permanently.    

If you're letting them watch TV for half an hour while you shower, and then you always turn it off, fine.  But if you routinely use it so you can get stuff done, it's better to find a babysitter or a preschool program for a few hours a day. Risking permanent health problems or influencing brain development negatively is too high a price to pay for keeping our kids busy.

Most preschoolers who have never been exposed to TV and computer are used to keeping themselves occupied and stay busy. But if you're trying to break the electronic habit, try creating an Idea Jar for boredom busting. 

I should caution you that this won't work if you have not spent any time that day with your child -- he needs his fix of parental attention and only something as engaging as TV or computer will divert him.  But if you've spent the last hour building towers and reading to him, his emotional bank is full of your undivided attention.  Now he just needs a transition to get into the next thing. 

It’s great if you have a jar pre-filled with ideas, for when you draw a blank.  “Do you want to draw a picture for Grandma? Build a city for your beanie babies?  Listen and dance to music?  Cut out strips of paper and make a paper chain that reaches across the living room?  Put on your jacket and make a sand castle in the sandbox? Or come up with an even better idea on your own?” 

Of course, your child may not need a structured activity.  Many preschoolers left to their own devices are happy to engage in fantasy play with an imaginary friend or some action figures.  My daughter at age four would say "I think I'll play with Betsy" (her imaginary friend) and be happily occupied for an hour.

Make it clear that it’s their job to entertain themselves.  Once they get used to it, they will come to love this time on their own. The benefits to their imagination and self regulation are priceless.  And learning the skill of managing their time and entertaining themselves is an essential protective gift for children growing up in our overscheduled, hyper-media culture.
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Photo: Cobalt 123