A couple of years ago, I made a chart that my oldest son, then three years old, would use to keep track of his television time. He was allowed to watch two, half-hour shows each day and one movie each week. Whenever he watched a show or movie, he would color in a square on his chart that coincided with the current day and type of screen time.
This system worked wonderfully until his younger brother became old enough to also want to choose his own shows. At that point, we tweaked the system so that each child was allowed to choose one show each day that both children watched, and together we would choose one movie each week.
Again, our idea worked for awhile. However, I began to grow concerned about the amount of screen time they were getting since they were following the “TV Time” rules but were now playing video games for short periods each day in addition to the original screen time. I have since developed a new, easy to follow system to keep track of all types of screen time.
I have one, small coffee can for each child. On each coffee can, I had my children attach twenty-one clothes pins. Each clothes pin represents thirty minutes of screen time, and they begin each week with all twenty-one. Each time a child watches a show or chooses to play a video game (with a timer set for thirty minutes), a clothes pin is removed. If he watches a movie, three clothes pins are removed, one for each thirty minute increment. Each child may use up to five clothes pins each day. However, once the pins are gone, they do not receive any more until the next week begins.
The first week we implemented this system, the pins were gone before the last day of the week had arrived. They were forced to endure an entire day with no screen time (which was actually a wonderful day!). This is our second week. We have two days left, and there are still twelve pins on each can!!
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Written by Laura on January 27, 2012
My own two children are starting to outgrow one of my favorite preschool television shows. It airs on the public broadcasting station and is a wonderful program for introducing numerous science concepts. One of the best learning features of the show is the use of correct science terms.
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Written by Laura on June 1, 2011
There is a show on PBS that both of my boys really enjoy watching. “Sid the Science Kid” is a preschool and early elementary targeted television show that attempts to make an array of science topics simple enough for young learners to understand. Children seem to love the computer generated animation, and the subject matter allows me to feel comfortable letting my children watch tele
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Written by Laura on June 28, 2010
This day and age, most parents have some concerns about the amount of television children watch. Although there are certainly shows out there that are entirely inappropriate for young children to be viewing, there are others that are rooted in wholesome, educational values and concepts. It can be very stressful trying to decide who can watch, how much, and what kind of shows are permitted in you
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Written by Laura on September 18, 2009
Children today are exposed to television everywhere they go. At school, in the doctor’s office waiting room, the airport, the mall, and, of course, at home. Even parents who try to limit the amount of television their children are exposed to would have to admit that their children quickly recognize and identify characters from popular programs and movies. Instead of fretting over the “
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Written by BRWI Staff on May 8, 2009
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