| Do you think that putting a child in front of a TV limits | | | | If you look you'll find that there are hundreds of videos |
| their development? Watch a small child watching TV | | | | available that are targeted at babies which claim to |
| and you'll see a zoned out child. Kids need to develop | | | | benefit their brain development; "Cradle to Grave |
| hand-eye coordination by moving around, falling down | | | | Loyalty" they call this phenomenon of marketing to |
| and getting up, jumping around, running. They need to | | | | infants. |
| feel things and learn to express themselves. | | | | It is up to parents to empower their kids and allow |
| The first months of an infant's life is when intellectual, | | | | them to grow up without being undermined by |
| emotional and social development requires | | | | commercial interests. Our children mean more to us |
| engagement directly with their world, their surroundings. | | | | than their "buying" power and we as parents need to |
| According to experts, kids don't need to watch TV at | | | | be more aware. |
| all. Many parents (and frazzled stay-at-home-moms) | | | | Each individual family must decide on its own what is |
| may disagree to different degrees. Personally, allowing | | | | best for them and what will work' however, here are |
| my children to watch some TV is necessary to my | | | | some practical guidelines, or suggestions:o Don't put |
| sanity. I do, however, select what I feel is appropriate | | | | TV sets in children's rooms.o Choose programs |
| and try and limit their viewing to programs with no | | | | movies wisely.o If you choose to allow your children to |
| commercials and that are educational in addition to | | | | watch commercials, be there with them so that you |
| being entertaining for them. | | | | are able to explain certain actions and behaviors to |
| Kids are spending more and more time with media | | | | them and answer their questions.o Ration screen |
| over any activity other than sleeping. Huge corporate | | | | time.o Don't permit endless TV watching; encourage |
| conglomerates own TV, radio, web businesses and | | | | play and other activities. |
| film studios - makes it easier for marketers to sell | | | | I choose to have a digital video recorder (DVR) so |
| products directly to children. It's estimated that children | | | | that I can record those programs that I know my |
| 12 and under influence more than $500 billion in | | | | children enjoy watching and which I have deemed to |
| purchases every year. | | | | be appropriate and educational for them. I also try to |
| Brand licensing, product placement and even marketing | | | | make sure that their exposure to commercials is as |
| in preschools and day care centers are a few ways | | | | close to null as possible. We also have a huge |
| that marketing to children occurs. Day care providers | | | | collection of DVD movies that are appropriate & |
| and preschool teachers sometimes use movies and | | | | enjoyable. |
| TV to keep children engaged (not in my kid's | | | | In conclusion, remember - children want and need our |
| preschool!) In response, media companies have begun | | | | love and attention; THAT is the biggest gift we can |
| targeting preschools with curricula based on media | | | | give our children. |
| characters that they tout as "educational." | | | | |