The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Truth About TV
And Your Preschooler
Author: Deanna Mascle

I am the mother of a preschooler and I have to admit that my
child watches several hours of television each week. I am sure
he watches more hours than any educator would recommend, but
I've decided to dismiss the recommendation of the so-called
experts. For the record, my child is a precocious, intelligent
child who started preschool at the head of his class and will
start kindergarten next fall at the head of his class. So who
is right? I think we both are because there are good, bad, and
ugly truths about television and the preschool set.

There are many good truths about preschool television. Today
there is more quality programming designed with educational
benefits in mind than ever before. While I did have Sesame
Street in my youth, today my child has several stations
designed specifically to offer quality programming (often
created by or with educators). My child learned Spanish and
sign language in preschool but his experience was reinforced
and expanded by Sesame Street, Maya and Miguel, Dora The
Explorer, and other shows. Preschool and library programs
introduced my child to science and math but his knowledge was
also increased by Stanley, Discovery Kids, and Bear In The Big
Blue House. Literacy, history, culture, and interpersonal
relationships were all expanded by shows such as Blues Clues,
Power Rangers, and Thomas The Tank Engine. Through television
programs my child can experience dinosaurs, volcanoes, sharks,
and rain forests and as a result he is much more informed and
knowledgable than I was about the world at his age.

There are some bad truths about preschoolers' relationship to
television as well. My son has learned bad habits, attitudes
and language from some shows and networks. I have seen my child
and others take on a zombie-like aspect in front of the
television. For some children, thankfully not mine, television
takes the place of active play so the child lacks physical and
mental stimulation. Not all television is appropriate for
preschoolers and can expose children to violence, lifestyles,
and sexual situations that young children cannot, and should
not, comprehend.

The ugly truth about television and preschoolers is that TV is
a tool -- and like any other tool it can be either used or
abused. Too many families rely on television as a cheap
babysitter. I have done so myself. Too many families place no
restrictions or control over their preschoolers' television
habits. Children can watch whatever they want, whenever they
want. It is easy to blame networks or the entertainment
industry for problems with our children. It is easy to diagnose
that cutting back television viewing is the cure.

The simle truth is that balance and control are the real keys
-- not restricting your child's access to television. Balance
TV viewing with quality family time and play time. Control what
stations and shows your child watches. Television can be a
positive force in your preschooler's life if you exercise
balance and control, but if you don't take care then it may
well become a negative force. The simple truth is the direction
of the pendulum swing is up to you as a parent.


About The Author: Deanna Mascle shares more articles about
preschoolers in her blog at http://PreschoolersLearnMore.info