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Television is here to stay

1 Oct 2005

When we started the Talk To Your Baby campaign at the National Literacy Trust in 2003, the most frequent response was that surely all the problems with children's poor communication skills could laid at the door of television. We don't think that is necessarily the case, and there are multiple social and cultural factors contributing to why it is such a problem now. Television undoubtedly contributes, but used responsibly it can aid young children's language learning.

The reality is that television is not just in every home but increasingly in many young children's bedrooms. EastEnders is currently the most watched show among British four-year-olds. It is the unsupervised watching of inappropriate programmes that can lead to problems.

We commissioned a research review, which showed how little investigation there has been on television watching for the under-twos. There is, though, some evidence suggesting that under-twos cannot cope with high levels of stimulation. A study by Dr Dimitri Christakis in Seattle concludes that children under two should not be allowed to watch any television at all, as it can lad to over-stimulation and poor concentration skills. Dr Christakis suggests that under-twos who watch three hours of television a day are 30 per cent more likely to develop Attention Deficit Disorder. Children who are exposed to unrealistic and unnatural levels of stimulation at a young age, he says, continue to expect this in later life, leading to difficulty dealing with the slower pace of school and homework.

Quality counts
For children aged two to five, however, it is clear that high quality educational programmes designed for this age group can enhance language development. In the UK we are lucky that we have good quality, carefully prepared programming suitable for the early years to watch. Programmes with a single gentle voice, for example, are most suitable for very young children, as multiple voices are extremely confusing in the pre-school years.

Our research review also revealed that young children are often unable to watch age-appropriate programming, as older siblings command the remote control. We all also need to remember to turn the television off when a programme has finished. Having it on permanently in the background can hinder listening skills. But its greater impact is in the distraction it causes to adults who are, as a result, less likely to talk and play with their children.

It is clear that allowing young children to watch too many adult and general audience programmes can be confusing for them. When Sesame Street was being created, research found that pre-schoolers needed to make sense of what they watched, far more than they needed all-singing, all-dancing entertainment to hold their attention. Young children don't watch when they are stimulated and look away when they are bored - they watch when they understand, and look away when they are confused.

Watch together - then turn it off
It is actually more useful for young children to watch videos of children's programmes, as the repetition fosters a certain familiarity with particular programmes and encourages anticipation and involvement. The best way for young children to watch television is in small bites, and with adult involvement. If you talk about a programme with the child after watching it, children are likely to gain more from the experience. And if you turn the television off when the programme has ended, the child is more likely to go and play - inspired by the programme, entertained by the characters, and probably singing the song as well.

We all need time to relax, and be entertained, and it is fine for children to enjoy watching television -some of the time. By itself, television is neither the cause not the answer to language issues. What is important is that parents and carers are aware of the pros and cons of television watching, and maximise the opportunities whilst diminishing potential risks.

(Practical Professional Child Care, October 2005)

Tags: Talk To Your Baby