Is your child sitting in front of the television at school?

Is your child sitting in front of the television at school? Studies show that children in day care and other child care facilities are sitting in front of television sets two or more hours each day.  Consider the following statistics:

• 70% of day-care centers use TV during the day
• 1 in 4 children under the age of 2 years has a TV in their room
• Children age 6 or under spend 2 hours watching TV compared to 39 minutes reading or being read to
• Repeated viewing of  violence on TV becomes accepted as  normal
• Excessive TV watching reduces boundaries between adult and child knowledge

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no viewing of television during the first two years of a child’s life, and no more than two hours beyond the age of two.

Children  in special education programs have specific prevailing developmental delays.   Other than audio-visual media  developed to supplement program objectives, the TV should stay in the media center.  

Your child is in a special program for specific reasons. Common needs are to develop language, mobility, social skills, appropriate behaviors, academic skills, work skills, personal care skills,  life skills, community and transition.  All of these need active participation for effectiveness. Passive television viewing robs time  designated for your child’s needs.

Television isn’t the only robber of time.  Children need to be engaged, not sitting passively as though waiting for something to happen.  How do you know?

You have to visit the school several times at different times to discover what’s going on. 

Develop an acute awareness, and take the school’s pulse. What is going on in the school office, classroom, lunch room, bathroom, and playground?  What you see, hear, and sense tell you volumes. Are the facilities clean and orderly?  Is the  message one of efficiency and care?  Or, is it one of chaos, disorder, and indifference? Are the children engaged, or are they sitting, bored, and unhappy? Are most of the staff members interacting with the students?   Or, are they visiting with each other, and self-involved?

Oh!  And don’t forget to check out the TV.

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Paul is a retired educator teaching in the public schools of Oregon, Idaho, and California. His experience includes school principal,  regular ed, and special ed. Visit Paul’s website at www.keenehealth.net . 

Coming Up: Dani’s Story The story of Dani shares her experience in special education from pre-school through community college.  The story is both sad and inspiring,  encouraging  parent involvement to advocate for their special children and speak up  for what’s right with unrelenting conviction.

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