Better than Television

At Thanksgiving, I got to meet the daughter of my cousin, which I believe makes her my first cousin once removed. At 14 months, Stella did not behave in a removed fashion, but interacted happily with everyone there. She loves books, and several of us took turns reading aloud to her before the big meal was finally served. Only after dinner, and after Stella had gone to bed, was anyone allowed to turn on the television, because her parents do not want her exposed to TV.

While this may seem a little extreme to some parents, it’s definitely in keeping with advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which discourages media use with children below two-years-old. AAP contends that there are more negative effects than positive benefits for this age group. Children interact less with adults when a television is on and seem to be more easily distracted from playing even when they are not actively watching. Because children develop so quickly and so much during their early years, it’s more important for them to spend their time interacting and bonding with those around them.

Despite warnings from the AAP, electronic gizmos, such as iPads, e-readers, and hand-held video players are definitely gaining in popularity, not only among the playground set, but the playpen set as well. Stephen Abrams, who I quoted in , recently posted on his own blog that a new national study reports that over half of children ages 5-8 are using digital media and that almost half of children aged 2-4 are using the same devices. Even infants, who aren’t being exposed to much media, are getting more screen time than they are interacting with books. 

While the benefits of television, even educational programs, for young children are questionable, the importance of reading aloud to children, even babies, has been demonstrated repeatedly. Reading aloud develops children’s communication and pre-reading skills, attention span, and memory. It promotes the bond between parent and child while helping young listeners discover the world around them. Children who are read to learn to read earlier and are more likely to develop a love of reading and learning.

, and several other Marin County branches, offer a wonderful read-aloud program for babies and toddlers called “Mother Goose on the Loose,” and dates/times are listed on the library’s website. And while those seeking quiet may want to remove themselves during these programs, I hear the happy sounds as evidence that we are raising future readers. And watching the babies settle down to hear a story is, believe me, better than television.