Watching TV with your child can help their cognitive Development

Cognitive Development and the Importance of TV Time With Your Child.

In this day and age, watching TV with your child might seem like the last thing you want to do, especially if you have big plans for after dinner time.

However, the importance of watching TV with your child cannot be overstated. Even if it’s just for 20 minutes each night, sitting down with your child and enjoying something on the boob tube can help with cognitive development more than you think.

Here are some reasons why TV time with your kids is so important and how you can make it happen on a daily basis.

How Does TV Affect Our Children’s Cognitive Skills?

Do you have questions about how watching TV with your child affects their cognitive development? Let’s find out.

Studies Show TV Can Help Children

A recent study from the University of Washington found that toddlers who watched an episode of Octonauts for 12 minutes were better able to accurately identify letters in a set than those who didn’t watch.

Additionally, another study found that preschoolers who watched one episode of Phineas and Ferb were better able to tell which animal was on a farm by looking at pictures than those who didn’t watch.

When Can Children Start to Watch TV?

Children should be able to watch TV from age two. The AAP recommends that children under age two not watch any TV because it can lead to developmental delays.

From ages 2-5, the AAP suggests no more than one hour per day. From age 6-18, they recommend no more than two hours per day.

How Long Should They Watch TV?

There is no set time limit for how long a child should be watching television. However, research has shown that for every hour of television watched by a two-year-old, their vocabulary will decrease by six words. When it comes to three-year-olds, they will lose 12 words per hour.

What Kind of Shows Should They Watch?

The type of show your child watches can affect their cognitive development. For example, if they are watching a crime drama, they might start to wonder what they would do in that situation which could lead them to think about consequences.

If they watch a science show, it may spark an interest in that subject which could motivate them to learn more.

Other Tips To Make The Most Of Their Screen Time

– Avoid screens before bedtime, since they can make it more difficult for kids to fall asleep.

– It’s best to limit screen time to two hours a day or less.

– Allow your child to choose what they want to watch.

– Watch with them! Children learn by watching, so you’ll be giving them an opportunity for cognitive development while bonding with them at the same time.

FAQs

1. What is cognitive development?

Cognitive development is a set of ongoing changes in how children think, learn, reason, and use language.

There are many benefits to these changes, including improved social skills and problem-solving abilities. Plus, watching TV with your child may help them develop their attention span.

2. When does cognitive development happen?

The first three years are a critical period for cognitive development to take place.

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