Kids and TV

Lisa B. mentioned her feelings today about kids and TV/video games, and how she thinks that those who grew up in the late '70s-'80s can multi-task well, but also need much more stimulus to keep their attention. I very much agree. When my first son was born, I did some reading about the effects of television, video games and computers (basically, any screen time) and learned that before the age of three, viewing normal television, with the fast pace at which it moves, literally rewired the connections in the brain in a way that would not happen without tv time. It is recommended that children under 3 years old have no screen time so that they may develop these brain connections using real objects and people.

I see implications in my classroom when my students cannot sit still or focus on a task or listen to a set of instructions that last more than a minute. It is interesting to look at the statistics on learning and attention issues (ADD, ADHD, etc.) that have mushroomed over the past decade. It must be caused by something, and to me, the corrolation between screen time and alterations in attention seem logical. It will also be interesting to follow what case studies emerge and what research will end up substantiating regarding this connection in the next few years.

Disclaimer: though I know that it is better for children to have no screen time before the age of three, I do admit that my sons watch some TV. They usually watch things such as "Thomas the Tank Engine" and "Peter Pan", and not commercial television. Ideally, I would prefer no screen time. But the reality is that sometimes the ease of things like television take an enormous effort to avoid. I fully admit to not putting forth that effort necessary, and try to keep their screen time to a minimum...