Ayla
06-11-2008, 08:03 AM
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24609386-2702,00.html
No TV in first two years, says childhood expert
Stephen Lunn, social affairs writer | November 06, 2008
US childhood expert Michael Rich can recite, chapter and verse, the research linking children's overuse of media to health issues such as obesity, anxiety and aggression.
So how does he manage television and computer games for his own boys, Jason, 4, and Ian, 2?
"My kids have had no screen time to 30 months because there is no evidence they can learn anything from TV that young," says Rich, director ofHarvard University's Centre for Media and Child Health. "We know what strengthens brain architecture at that age. It's face-to-face dialogue with people, manipulating their physical environment such as stacking blocks or getting food into their own mouth, and open-ended problem solving using creative play such as time in a sandbox with a bucket of water.
"Beyond that age my wife and I do our homework; we find educational programs promoting skills like sharing and working in a group. I also video everything and run straight through the ads. Because kids love ads, and ad makers know they do."
Rich, who works in pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital, addresses the Australia and New Zealand Adolescent Health annual conference in Melbourne today. He has an unusual background -- 12 years in the film industry. This informs his views. "I think the media should be treated as a fine art," he says. "I want to expose (my children) to the good stuff and at the right time in their lives."
Rich says American children aged eight to 18 use media, including TV, iPods and computer games, for an average of 6 1/2 hours a day, and he suspects Australian kids would be little different. Media is more pervasive than school, friendship or parents, he says.
"Our research has shown there are clear health links between media use and obesity and risk-taking behaviour in children," Rich says.
It's OK for parents to say no or to limit screen time to an hour or two a day, he says. And older children should be encouraged to "deconstruct" media so they understand its potential impact.
Rich says responsible use of media can be positive. The key is to ensure parents are deciding how much and what media is consumed.
No TV in first two years, says childhood expert
Stephen Lunn, social affairs writer | November 06, 2008
US childhood expert Michael Rich can recite, chapter and verse, the research linking children's overuse of media to health issues such as obesity, anxiety and aggression.
So how does he manage television and computer games for his own boys, Jason, 4, and Ian, 2?
"My kids have had no screen time to 30 months because there is no evidence they can learn anything from TV that young," says Rich, director ofHarvard University's Centre for Media and Child Health. "We know what strengthens brain architecture at that age. It's face-to-face dialogue with people, manipulating their physical environment such as stacking blocks or getting food into their own mouth, and open-ended problem solving using creative play such as time in a sandbox with a bucket of water.
"Beyond that age my wife and I do our homework; we find educational programs promoting skills like sharing and working in a group. I also video everything and run straight through the ads. Because kids love ads, and ad makers know they do."
Rich, who works in pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital, addresses the Australia and New Zealand Adolescent Health annual conference in Melbourne today. He has an unusual background -- 12 years in the film industry. This informs his views. "I think the media should be treated as a fine art," he says. "I want to expose (my children) to the good stuff and at the right time in their lives."
Rich says American children aged eight to 18 use media, including TV, iPods and computer games, for an average of 6 1/2 hours a day, and he suspects Australian kids would be little different. Media is more pervasive than school, friendship or parents, he says.
"Our research has shown there are clear health links between media use and obesity and risk-taking behaviour in children," Rich says.
It's OK for parents to say no or to limit screen time to an hour or two a day, he says. And older children should be encouraged to "deconstruct" media so they understand its potential impact.
Rich says responsible use of media can be positive. The key is to ensure parents are deciding how much and what media is consumed.