Smart Learning Newsletter
Helping You Help
Your ADHD and ADHD-like Kids
Reach Their Smart Potential
Dr. MaryJo Wagner, Editor and Publisher
Vol 2. No. 1, November 7, 2010
Contents
- Note from Dr. MaryJo: Toddlers, TV and the Turf War
- What's Happening at Smart Kids Smart Parents in November
- Feature Article: TV: Just Say "No"
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Note from Dr. MaryJo
Toddlers, TV, and the Turf War
Hi:
I'm not easily shocked. But every once in awhile a statistic comes across my desk that is so startling I nearly faint!
Question: How many hours a week do you think the average toddler spends watching TV?
Answer: More than 32 hours according to the latest Nielsen ratings. That is NOT a typo. Yes, more than 32 hours. That's almost a full-time job!
This despite the warning from the American Academy of Pediatrics that children under three shouldn't watch ANY TV at all! (They've modified it to under 2 years old but that doesn't mean that once a child turns 3, she should start watching 32 hours of TV!
This despite recent reports that watching TV can delay language development.
This despite studies showing that for every hour of TV watched by a child under 3 years old, the greater the risk by, as much as 10 percent, for developing attentional problems (i.e. ADHD symptoms) by the age of 7.
But wait, that's not all! Marketers spent more than $276 million advertising to toddlers watching TV. One popular show, "Dora the Explorer" has generated $11 billion in sales since 2002.
With so much at stake, Nickelodeon and Disney are competing for advertising dollars in the toddler TV market. They're doing the research, holding focus groups, talking to teachers, watching as kids watch TV to see their reactions.
Whoa...there's something really wrong with this picture!
So what can parents do to limit TV? Find out in the feature article below and in this week's Tuesday TeleTips.
Enjoy!
What's Happening at Smart Kids Smart Parents
Tuesday TeleTips: Always Complimentary. Always recorded. Usually every other week. Usually an Action Guide. But you do need to sign up
Nov. 9: TV: 3 Reasons to Turn It Off Sign up now Get 7 Rules for TV Watching in the Action Guide and lots more.
Nov. 16: ADHD: Three Smart Brain Games™ that Always Work
Nov. 23: ADHD and Food
Nov. 30: Situational ADHD: What Is It and What Do You Do about It?
If there's something you'd like know, let me know and I'll get it into the December Tuesday TeleTips.
TV: Just Say "No"
For years researchers have been proving that too much TV isn't good for developing brains. So what can you do to limit TV at your house?
First, simply say "no more TV today." That's it. No arguing. No discussion. You're the parent and you get to say "no."
Next, change your language about TV. Instead of talking about watching TV, talk about watching shows, particular shows. Choose shows ahead of time. When that show is over, the TV is turned off.
Separate the TV from the kitchen. In addition to TV being hard on developing brains, it's also hard on fitness and health. Experts have cited TV as a significant factor leading to the childhood obesity epidemic. Because watching TV causes eating on automatic pilot, it's easy to eat an entire bag of chips without even realizing it. So no eating while watching TV.
Plan ahead. You can even make a weekly TV calendar. Set up a TV watching schedule a week ahead of time. Let your kids figure out which shows they're going to watch after you've discussed and established rules about how many hours they can watch TV and when. Now they fill in the chart.
Following a written plan like the TV calendar cuts down on random TV watching for no reason, eliminates arguments, and improves your kids brains and health.
And finally, brainstorm with your kids about what they can do instead of watching TV. For many kids, once they're no longer watching TV, they feel stuck about what to do. Encourage physical activity. Encourage creative activities. Encourage reading.
Bottom line: Just say "no" to TV
Discover more suggestions for limiting TV during this week's Tuesday TeleTips. Sign up now.
I've identified at least "63 Common Conditions that Can Cause ADHD-like Behavior" (aka Situational ADHD) to help you figure out what's going on with your child. Get your copy Today
Watch for next week's "Smart Learning Newsletter: "Situational ADHD: What to do When It's Not Really ADHD"
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