Giving New Meaning to Parenting

I recently ran across this mention: “Only 9% of parents are aware that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 2 watch no TV, videos, or DVDs”…

What?

Tracking back to even find the source should have convinced me of its truth; quite a difficult search. I finally discovered the source, a report by The Kaiser Foundation in 2004 . Seems to me, someone might want to update this information. But, that’s neither here nor there. What IS of importance is… why the heck aren’t parents made aware of the deleterious impact of TV under 2.?

We visit our pediatrician on a regular basis, less frequently now that my DS is 5, but with alarming regularity when he was an infant. In other words, every time he sneezed. At each annual visit I appeared with my organized sheet of questions and concerns. I discussed eating habits, developmental milestones, and play. I also mentioned that he watched no TV. My pediatrician responded with mild surprise and an ambiguous comment:

Hmmmm.

Though I like my pediatrician, still…

Hmmmm?

Seems to me, this should have gotten a bit more of a reaction, at least a positive reaction. Surprise makes a parent feel they are, perhaps a bit weird, perhaps a bit “out there”, hardly the type of reaction that encourages appropriate parental behavior.

Yet, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no TV under two…for some very good reasons.

Children of all ages are constantly learning new things. The first 2 years of life are especially important in the growth and development of your child’s brain. During this time, children need good, positive interaction with other children and adults. Too much television can negatively affect early brain development. This is especially true at younger ages, when learning to talk and play with others is so important.


Until more research is done about the effects of TV on very young children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend television for children age 2 or younger. For older children, the Academy recommends no more than 1 to 2 hours per day of educational, nonviolent programs. http://www.aap.org/family/tv1.htm

If this is so important, why the unencouraging reaction? Why are there not posters in my pediatrician’s office? Where are the highway signs? Where are the PSA’s on television and radio?

I’m not naïve enough to discount the power of big media in our political system. And, I’m not anti-media. What I am for is providing parents with much needed information. While perhaps our government is hamstrung by a combination of special interests and free speech issues, one would think an independent medical organization might have the power and the interest in informing parents.

American Academy of Pediatrics, please yell louder! In the meantime, I’m adding this badge to my blog.

Editor’s note: The 52nd edition of the Carnival of Family Life has been posted at An Island Life. Please stop by and wish them a Happy Birthday! The Carnival includes Doodaddy’s excellent post on The Littlest Naturalists.

[tags]baby, babies, infants, 2 year-olds, tv, television, AAP, American Academy of Pediatrics[/tags]
Photo graciously provided by javiekitela, through a Creative Commons license, some rights reserved