Media plays a big role in influencing people especially in young age group. Children can be easily influenced by what they see and hear. With television programs, parental guidance is needed because many children are exposed to television shows that is inappropriate for them. TV programs can show children violent behavior or other alarming subject matter.

Studies indicate that excessive viewing of violent activity on television leads to increased violent activity by children and adolescents When television shows alcohol and/or drug use, smoking, violence and sexual behavior before a child is emotionally ready to understand these issues, his/her adjustment may be adversely effected.
Parents can help decrease the potentially harmful effects of television watching by screening the type of programming and limiting the amount of time a child watches television.

The following are suggestions for your child’s tv watching habits:

=Monitor tv programs and choose programs for your child to watch. Don’t let your child turn on the TV randomly. Give choices between two programs you think are appropriate for your child.

=Turn to educational shows such as cartoons but still with proper selection of those that are educational, or from programming such as Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, or any informational channels that best suit your child’s age and understanding.

=Don’t use the TV as the child’s “babysitter” and do not watch TV during meal times.

=Watch TV with your child. Aside from it will promote bonding with you and your child, your presence will be able to help you educate your child about informations the tv programs may impart good or bad.

=Turn the TV off if the program is something you believe your child should not see. Many daytime programs (such as soap operas and talk shows) are not appropriate for children.

=Be a good example to your child by not watching too much television yourself. Be involved in other activities, especially reading. Limit using TV as a reward for good behavior.

=Encourage play and exercise for your child. Plan other fun activities for your child, so he/she has choices instead of TV.Try a trip to the park, a festival, playground, or a visit to a relatives/friends house instead.

Be strict in monitoring your child’s tv watching. With proper guidance and child education, tv watching for your child will not lead to bad behaviors or learnings that are not appropriate.

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There may be times when we may grow tired of the talkative nature of toddlers but talking remains to be one of those milestone achievement in child development which you can’t wait to unfold.

Setting up a favorable environment is one of the best ways you can do to help the learning process flow in easier. The first thing you can do is to stop speaking in a baby tone and try to talk to youur child in an adult manner so that the child can get the proper inflections and word meanings/contexts. Also ask them a lot of questions in order to engage in conversations. Here are a few more guidelines:

1. Be sure to tell them what you’re doing. If it’s time to change their clothes for bedtime, tell them. “Off with your shoes. Remove your pants and shirt.” Repeating this each time you change them helps them learn to use labels for their clothing.

2. Read to them as often as possible. Picture dictionaries can introduce them to new words. Point to the pictures in the book and name each one. Read simple stories using expression in your voice for the different characters. Your toddler will love it!

3. Try not to talk or mumble to yourself which can confuse your toddler. They may begin to think that words are meaningless if someone isn’t responding when you talk.

4. Play repeating games with your toddler. Start out with simple words. Point to a toy they like and say “toy.” Ask them if they would like the toy and then ask them if they can say “toy.” If they try, praise them whether they can say the word or not. Then give them the toy. Repeat with other things they point to and indicate they want.

5. Leave the television off as much as possible. Parking your toddler in front of a TV for a short while won’t hurt them, but leaving them there for hours can. In fact, some experts have determined that watching television earlier than age two can be a contributing factor to developing Attention Deficit Disorder. If you can’t be with them physically, put them somewhere safe and let them play with their toys.

6. Be patient. Babies all learn at different rates so don’t get too discouraged if your toddler doesn’t learn to speak as quickly as another child. It may not seem like it, but your toddler will be talking when they’re ready. Of course, then you may wish they didn’t talk so much!

7. See the doctor. If you think your toddler is way behind their peers in speaking, you may want to see your child’s pediatrician. They will be able to test your toddler to see if there is a physical reason for them not speaking. If there is a problem, they will be able to give you the best advice for getting your toddler past the problem.

8. Love them as they are. If you put too much pressure on them to talk before they’re ready, it could do more harm than you realize. It’ll happen, just wait and see.

Try not to stress out about whether your toddler is talking or not. Unless your doctor gives you a reason why they won’t, you can expect your toddler to begin talking when they’re good and ready. Until then, talk to them, read to them, and keep on loving them!

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