Taming the Television Monster
"All my three- and four-year-old want to do is watch TV. They
fuss about having to turn off the TV at dinner and bedtime. They
wouldn't even play with their friends yesterday because their
favorite shows were on. I think I've let it get out of hand,"
lamented Robin.
I was impressed to hear Robin take responsibility for the
situation. Television is an easy thing to let take over, with
big screens and DVD players, surround sound, 100 cable stations
and children's stations. Children are usually quiet when they
are watching TV, so it can ease into our lives with no
awareness. Video and computer games could be included in this
discussion.
Children under the age of six want to be near you all the time
it seems. Why fight it? Use it to your advantage. How? By
setting up an activity center in your home. In a short time, the
center will be more satisfying to your children than television.
I recommend that every home with small children have a
child-sized table and chairs. Small shelves can be purchased
inexpensively at an office supply or discount store. White
melamine boards and glass blocks purchased from a building
supply also make an attractive three-shelf unit for an activity
center. The kitchen, dining room or family room are good areas
to put your activity center.
After you have shelves, put six to ten activities on the shelves
in baskets or trays. A crafty friend of mine used wallpaper to
cover oatmeal and shoe boxes for their center. This is a sample
of what might be on the shelves: