The Benefits of Toddlers Watching Television, and How Parents Can Create a Positive Viewing Environment

The order that we should ban screen time for toddlers has always been commonly accepted among paediatricians and parents – and by extension, us writers. However, recent studies and parent accounts are suggesting it’s not necessarily the mere act of watching television that should be a cause for concern; rather, they recommend that parents facilitate an environment conducive to active learning and bonding with their children to prevent the potential quandary-inducing nature of heavy screen use.

Whereas before, when we had little to no research on the effects of TV on toddlers, we are now experiencing an influx of studies as a result of more products being marketed towards that demographic. The initial findings painted a negative portrait of a toddler’s engagement with the medium.

For example, Dimitri A. Christakis, who is a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine, says that a toddler who watches three hours of television per day is 30 percent more likely to have attention problems in school later on, because TV watching is a passive activity, and it won’t help the toddler’s growing brain development. He also adds that the toddler will see the fast-paced and ever-changing nature of television as normal, making it difficult for them to sit still for longer periods of time and stay properly engaged in their learning.

According to mother and blogger Rhiana Maidenberg from The Huffington Post, the other issues stem from the historical lack of parental engagement and the unsuitable lineup of shows parents currently watch with their children. In the old days, children didn’t grow up with television, and parents didn’t have the time or sense of responsibility to intellectually and creatively stimulate their children.

Fast-forward to present day, and the situation doesn’t look much better for most families on the other side of things. Parents choose to watch shows with their children that appeal more to adults than to youth, which is even worse than exposing children to mainstream children’s programming, primarily because the language and scenarios used in these shows surpass a child’s comprehension.

The other reason is that parents are less likely to interact with their children either way, because they will either be too engrossed in their preferred shows, or they will show their disinterest by leaving children alone to watch programs that are catered towards them (or, to put it frankly, shows that pander to them).

These realities can be combated, however, as Maidenberg points out, the parenting movement is stronger than ever before, and more parents can be found playing, reading, and having discussions with their children. This means that if we can maintain these same positive habits while engaging with the TV, then there may be a good case for children and their screen time.

Baby Center has provided parents with guidelines on how to use the TV in an interactive manner, integrating it with a toddler’s learning experience. They can do this by interactively treating stories and pictures displayed on the screen like a storybook that they’d otherwise read to their children before bedtime.

Before they get to the interactivity portion of TV, however, parents should take steps to ensure that certain practices are ingrained in their children’s minds. Fundamentally, they need to monitor how much and how often their children are in front of the screen.

Anything over two hours exceeds the amount that’s good for them. To keep the toddler from zoning out, and to give the impression that they’re watching more than they actually are, it’s a good idea to have them take breaks between 10-15 minute views, and then give a warning when a show is about to end so that they know when to move on to the next activity. Parents should also consider putting away the television when it’s not in use, especially before bedtime and meals. Some ideal storage spaces include cabinets and enclosed rooms.

The next stage is deciding what to watch with toddlers. Rather than overly hyperactive shows that will confuse them or trigger attention problems, parents should opt for calmer and quieter shows that will allow toddlers to think about and absorb what they’re seeing on the screen. The shows should also prompt children to respond to characters’ commands, and sing and dance along to musical numbers.

It is crucial that parents actively select programs for their children to watch, as opposed to allowing them to watch whatever is on for a set period of time. It would especially be best to avoid showing them violent and scary subject matter until they are older, or else they will show signs of aggression and paranoia at an early age.

Here is where the parent’s role comes in. Experts advise parents to watch TV with their children as often as they can, rather than using the TV as a proxy babysitter, because it communicates to the children that their parents care about what they do. This is especially evident if parents show enthusiasm towards the programs they’re watching with their children, as children will see the potential for enjoyment as well. Thus, parents should avoid exposing their children to habits like channel surfing and leaving the TV on as background noise.

Another effective way to prevent children’s brains from going on autopilot while they watch is for parents to talk with them critically about what’s happening in the shows and ads, and making sure to differentiate between the two. They should also be encouraged to ask questions and relate the content to real life.

These are all great ways to help introduce children to basic concepts like animals and colours. However, TV should definitely not be used as a replacement for real-world play and exploration. Instead, TV should be supplemented with related books and activities that extend the lessons learned in particular episodes. A great activity example involves relating items around the house to numbers and objects learned about on TV.

Parent Russell Saunders from The Daily Beast suggests that TV, if used correctly, can open up opportunities for parents and their children to foster a closer relationship, rather than distancing them from each other. The idea may not have many advocates, but the potential for TV to become a vital component of familial life is becoming increasingly apparent as time goes on.