The document discusses the impact of media on young children and provides guidelines for its proper use. It notes that television was a major influence starting in the 1950s and that today children spend over 27 hours per week consuming digital media. Research shows that excessive television watching before age 3 can negatively impact language development and reading skills. While interactive apps and devices can support learning when monitored, too much screen time for young kids is still problematic. The document recommends choosing age-appropriate content and co-viewing with adults to help children interpret and discuss what they see.

1. IMPACT OF MEDIA ON
YOUNG CHILDREN
By : Esther Love

2. OPENING QUESTIONS
• You as a parent or future parent, How much TV do you let
your child watch?
• What kind of programing do you let them watch?
• What other kinds of digital media will you allow them
use?
• One last question, how much of this should be conducted
at schools?

3. HISTORY
• Television has been a major influence on children since the 1950’s.
• In the1980’s –movie rentals, cartoons, and video games became more popular.
• By 1990 every home in America had at least 1 TV set.
• 2000 – It was common that a child knew how to use the remote control before
knowing how to use eating utensils.
• Today children spend more than 27 hours a week on some kind of digital media.
• Television viewing research has be conducted over the past 10 years to find out
exactly what impact it has on young children.

4. TELEVISION VS AGE
• Childs Age: 18 Months or Younger
• According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, television visual and audio stimuli
maybe too intense and may actually delay language development.
• Childs Age: 22 Months or Younger
• Children learn words more effectively from adults than Television. Research shows that
overly watching television predicted lower vocabulary scores.
• Childs Age: 2 years and Younger
• The more TV children watch at before the age of 3, the worse they perform in reading
recognition, reading comprehension when they get older.

5. OTHER TYPES OF MEDIA
In today’s world, children have access to all different types media and technology.
Much more than adults had growing up. young children are drawn to, and even
addicted to cell phones, computers, video game systems, iPads and other tablets.
• Smart phones and tablets have opened up a whole new world of interactive learning
for children. But just like television time spent on these devices needs to be
monitored and kept to a minimum.
• There are lots of interactive learning apps that teach colors, shapes, numbers and
language. Early exposure to these devices can also cause a delay in language
development.

6. CO-VIEWING WITH ADULTS
• Age appropriate programming.
• Children who are exposed to high amounts adult programming tend to have a lower
vocabulary.
• Quality age appropriate programming viewing seems to have a positive effect of a
child's development.
• Adults should watch television with their children and help interpret what the child
is seeing.
• Conversations about television program can open the door to discuss a wide variety
of issues and topics.

7. PROPER USE OF MEDIA
• Choose Age appropriate programming.
• Interaction from Adults- Co-viewing and discussion.
• Extend viewing activities – Children are often motivated to learn
more about a topic once television has sparked their interests.
• Critical Thinking - Ask Children what they thought about a
program.