Many parents limit the amount of concentrated time their kids spend in front of the TV. But a new study out today claims that even having the tube on in the background can distract your kids from their tasks at-hand.
The report, out of the University of Massachusetts, observed kids aged 1-3 at play while a television aired programming in the same room. While the kids only looked up at the TV occasionally, researchers found that the mere presence of the TV detracted from the intensity of the children’s play, and resulted in them losing interest in particular toys much faster.
The report didn’t cite any immediate long-term effects this type of distraction could have on your child’s ability to communicate, stay focused, multi-task, or learn. But it is especially interesting in a day where the term ADD is thrown about so casually, we spend more time than ever before in front of screens (TV, computer, video game), and juggling multiple sources of information is the norm.
So before you leave the room with the set on, remember this report and consider saving energy, and focus, by doing one simple thing – turning it off. You, and your kids, might just find you like it better this way.
Technorati Tags: TV and kids, University of Massachusetts, Child Development Journal, David Anderson, psychologist, GlamFit, www.glam.com
Photo Credit: iStockPhoto
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