TV and Children: How Much Do Parents Really Need to Monitor?

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Hi,

Happy Halloween, for those young enough to beg for candy or old enough to give it out....;-) I have some spooky statistic for this special day:

" 50% of American households have three or more television sets at home. And the television is on nearly 8 hours a day in the average US home. The average American watches more than four hours of television a day. And on average, US children will spend more time this year in front of the TV (1,023 hours) than they will in school (900 hours) "

While the statistic is about US, I believe similar trend can be observed in many other countries. Children today spend excessive time watching television especially during preschool and early elementary years. How has TV affected our kids? A study claims that too much TV for small children may trigger autism (see the Brainy News in this issue). Other studies show that excessive television watching results in learning disabilities and behavior disorders. I have a terrific article in this issue about how much do parents need to monitor the times their children spent in front of the television. So let's get straight to it! Have a great week ahead!

Thought for today:
" Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible. " - Saint Francis

Best Regards,
Andrew Loh
Andrew Loh
Publisher & Editor, BrainyZine
andrew @ brainy-child.com

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TV and Children: How Much Do Parents Really Need to Monitor?
By Florence Cherry and Jo Ann Zenger

I'm sure you've heard someone say that today's children watch too much television. So much in fact, that there's even a day where your family is encouraged to turn off the television and find other, more creative things to do. We don't disagree that children sometimes watch too much television, but regardless of how much they watch...can you be sure that they're watching the right programs?

Praising with Impact
By Michael Grose

Praise considerably impacts on children's confidence and self-esteem but it needs to be given with care and precision. There are three types of praise that will impact immeasurably on your child's self-esteem and confidence. Read more here!

The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two
By William Sears, M.D et al

This book advocating a "high-touch style of parenting to balance the high-tech life of the new millennium," the authors teach new parents how to bond with their babies through seven fundamental behaviors, including breastfeeding, "babywearing" and setting proper boundaries. When parents keep close to their babies by bringing them into bed at night and picking them up when they cry, the infants develop better, the authors argue; rather than becoming spoiled, they become more healthy and independent. From tips for a healthy birth, getting your baby to sleep and feeding him the "right fats," to information about early health concerns, the major steps in infant development and troublesome but typical toddler behavior, the authors of this comprehensive volume (who share their own parenting experiences along the way) are assured and reassuring experts.

Breastfeeding boosts mental health
EurekAlert Oct 27, 2006

A new study has found that babies that are breastfed for longer than six months have significantly better mental health in childhood. Researcher Dr Wendy Oddy said there was growing evidence that bioactive factors in breast milk played an important role in the rapid early brain development that occurs in the first year of life.

Health benefit of eating fish outweighs risk
China Daily Oct 20, 2006

A report from the U.S. Institute of Medicine Tuesday recommended people should incorporate a variety of seafood in their diet, because health benefits outweigh the risks from exposure to environmental contaminants. Fish has long been seen as a healthy food, high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which may be associated with lower risk for heart disease and better fetal and brain development.

Child autism linked to hours spent watching TV
Times Online Oct 22, 2006

A NEW study claims to have found "strong support" for the theory that too much television for small children may trigger autism. The study which has sparked an angry debate in America, where it was carried out found a correlation between the number of hours that children younger than three spend watching television and the rates of autism in a county-by-county analysis of four states.

Day nursery may harm under-3s, say child experts
Telegraph Oct 21, 2006

An eminent group of child-care experts raises serious concerns today about the long-term effects of putting very young children into inadequate day nurseries. In a letter to The Daily Telegraph, they call for an "urgent national debate" on whether children under three should be cared for by anyone other than trusted and familiar figures in their lives.

Babies Having Bigger Heads Are Smarter
spotlightingnews.com Oct 16, 2006

Researchers at the University of Southampton conducted a study claiming babies with bigger heads are smarter and that head growth until the age of one is linked to intelligence.

Frenzy Begins for Gifted, Talented As Tots Prepare for New Testing
New York Sun Oct 15, 2006

Anxious parents preparing their 4-year-olds for the city's competitive Gifted and Talented kindergarten programs have a new tool for coaching their children this year: a practice test complete with the multiple choice bubbles, analogies, and word problems the youngsters will face on the real thing.

The greater your weight, the lower your IQ, say scientists
Telegraph.co.uk Oct 15, 2006

It is bad for your blood pressure, knocks years off your life and is a strain on your heart. Now scientists have discovered that gaining weight lowers your intelligence. The findings follow last week's government figures that show Britain as the "fat man" of Europe, with nearly a quarter of adults and more than 14 per cent of children under 16 classified as obese.

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