The ADHD-Television Link
(Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity
Disorder)A recent study by
Seattle's Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center showed
a link between kids who watch a lot of television and ADHD.
While the study found that American children watch a lot of
television is not surprising, what was startling was that young
children who watch many hours of TV can develop ADHD. ADHD is a
mental disorder that makes it hard for one to focus and
concentrate on an activity for an extended period of time. That
time may be as little as five minutes. Other symptoms are
restlessness and poor impulsivity control.
When we permit our children to watch television many hours per
day we allow the screen to become a pacifier for them. After
time, with considerable consumption the only to get a child's
attention will be when the T.V. is on. T.V viewing for young
children should be strictly monitored not only out of the
possible risk of your child developing ADHD but also because
many young children imitate the images they see on T.V. Many of
those images-especially violent ones-are not helpful to our
kids. This means that as a parent you need to find other
activities for your child.
Here are some ideas on how to prevent your child from
watching too much T.V.
1) Don’t buy one!
2) Find out what hobbies your child has and expand on them. For
example if they to draw, enroll them in a drawing class.
3) Watch educational programs with your child such as the news
or documentaries. If you limit T.V watching to these types of
programs you lessen the chance of children imitating negative
behaviors and the craving by your child to watch meaningless
programs.
4) Read with your child so that instead of the TV becoming a
routine, reading does.
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