Nursery World - A parent's guide to television

When you are tired or busy and need to get the kids 'out of your hair', the easiest thing to do is let them watch TV. But is too much TV bad for children? And how much is too much? Television has been blamed for many of the problems children experience, including poor communication skills, but in the right circumstances it can be beneficial.

Television has been blamed for many of the problems children experience, including poor communication skills, but in the right circumstances it can be beneficial.

How much television should your child watch?

Like adults, children sometimes feel tired or stressed and need a chance to relax in front of the box. However, too much television can affect your child's ability to talk, listen and concentrate.

Watching TV involves one-way communication - your child is passive and can 'switch off' from what they are viewing. Two-way communication, on the other hand, where your child is interacting with somebody, requires them to listen and express themselves and helps to develop their communication and social skills.

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