“Educational” Programming: Yay or Nay?

You’re a parent, so you want to help your child get the most out of their education. But did you know that many kids spend more time watching TV… than they do in school?

It’s true. A recent study found that kids ages 2-5 spend 32 hours a week watching TV!

Experts agree that too much TV is bad for kids. It contributes to obesity and aggression. But research says that the right amount of educational/informational (E/I) TV can help your child read.

But what is the right amount? And what shows are best for your child? Read on to help your child get the most out of E/I programming.


There are a lot of good E/I shows…

Photo credit: Ambro

E/I programming uses actors and stories to teach a lesson. Kids learn skills like letter recognition and spelling.


This is great for reluctant readers. Hearing the same things in a new way may help them “get it.” Learning from their favorite actors shows them that reading can be fun.

E/I shows can help your 3-year old to get a head start in preschool. They can also help kids who are doing well in school! Repetition is the key to children’s learning. E/I shows can help reinforce what happens at school.

Finally, E/I TV exposes kids to new cultures, places and ideas. It also tackles hard issues, like bullying. This can help you talk to your child about tough topics.


But not all shows are created equal.


Scientists recently studied 40 popular E/I shows. They rated how well the shows taught their main lesson -- and how important that lesson was.

Only 13% of the episodes were “highly educational.” Almost 26% were found to have minimal educational value.  Many E/I shows focus on feelings and relationships. This leaves less time for reading and math.

So how can I help my child learn?

In spite of this, there is much your child can learn from E/I TV. Get the most out of it with these pointers:

1.     Moderation. TV can be great for teaching lessons. But exploration is an important part of learning. Take your child to the park. Use paints and blocks. Invent a new game. These activities will help your child develop problem-solving abilities that last their whole life.

2.     Follow up. Pay attention to what your child is watching. Is there a book based on the show? Is a poet or author featured? Is there any part of the program your child really enjoyed? Use TV to spark your child’s interest in reading.

3.     Get involved. Ask your child questions about the show. Try phrases like, “Why do you think…?” or, “I wonder why…?”

4.     Try video games. Reading games like StudyDog are a lot like E/I shows. They use characters and stories to get a child’s interest. But unlike TV, games require active participation. They move at your child’s pace. They give your child goals and feedback. Some, like StudyDog, will even keep you posted on your child’s progress.

Click here to learn more about why video games are such powerful motivators.

5.     Find your child in the show.  Kids think that TV reflects reality. If there is no one like them on the show – racially, religiously, physically, etc. – it could hurt their self-esteem.

6.     Consider these shows. They received the highest rankings in a study funded by Children Now. Each features “exemplary” educational content.

 

In short, there’s nothing wrong with watching a little educational TV. Your child could even learn something! But with your help, they will learn even more.

Parents: What TV shows does your child like? How much do you let them watch?