0 Help Your Children Develop a Healthy TV Viewing Habit

TV viewing may be considered one of the most favorite activities of children today. The expansion of the television into many different networks and channels have provided children with many options, 24-hours a day thus allowing them to be able to literally sit in front of the television for 24 hour and not get bored or run out of TV shows to watch. Because children watch TV most of the time, the kind of shows they watch usually play a major role in their socialization of in the development of their values and habits. They acquire attitudes and beliefs that they bring along until they grow up. Because of this it is necessary to regulate your children's viewing habit.

The first thing you have to regulate as a parent is their TV viewing schedule. TV viewing can be very absorbing that the viewer does not notice the time as they fly. If we allow children to watch as much as they like, they may be dependent on TV for their entertainment and amusement. They may neglect doing important things such as assigned household chores, studying their lessons and doing their school assignments. This habit may be brought along until they become adults. Thus, it is better to teach them early to prioritize their school and other things that they need to do than watching TV. Also, set a bedtime for them so they will not get used to staying up until late at night watching TV and waking tired and late the next day.

Let them watch only shows that have educational values. Especially for a child of tender years, constantly seeing violence and other bad behaviors on TV might make them feel that such actions are normal and okay and thus adopt them, as they grow old. Instead of these shows, choose shows that are especially made for children or shows that offers learning. There are many shows like that, which are produced by many different channels. Let them watch art activities, discovery channel, educational shows, quiz shows, movies and shows with stories that aims to tell a moral lesson and other shows that can enhance their creativity and critical thinking.

Sit with them while they are watching and watch the shows with them especially if the shows require parental advice or parental guidance. Explain to them why an action is done. Make them understand that some of the things that they see on TV are not right and should not be copied.

Most importantly, have a healthy TV viewing habit yourself. Your child will copy what he sees you are doing. If he sees you watching shows that have no value and spending your whole day in front of the television instead of with them, they would probably just sit with you while you are watching and copy your TV viewing habits.

Heide Lynne Canlas is a writer, SEO specialist, and social media evangelist. She is also part of tutoring services Australia and renders teaching services for academic subjects.