Certain Television Fare Can Help Ease Aggression in Young Children, Study Finds

[alp227]

Source: NYT

Experts have long known that children imitate many of the deeds — good and bad — that they see on television. But it has rarely been shown that changing a young child’s viewing habits at home can lead to improved behavior.

In a study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics, researchers reported the results of a program designed to limit the exposure of preschool children to violence-laden videos and television shows and increase their time with educational programming that encourages empathy. They found that the experiment reduced the children’s aggression toward others, compared with a group of children who were allowed to watch whatever they wanted.

“Here we have an experiment that proposes a potential solution,” said Dr. Thomas N. Robinson, a professor of pediatrics at Stanford, who was not involved in the study. “Giving this intervention — exposing kids to less adult television, less aggression on television and more prosocial television — will have an effect on behavior.”

While the research showed “a small to moderate effect” on the preschoolers’ behavior, he added, the broader public health impact could be “very meaningful.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/18/health/violent-television-affects-childrens-behavior-study-says.html

[frazzled]

1. If only Mr. Rogers were still around

Make fun of him all you will, but Mr. Rogers understood young children and their psychology brilliantly, and was an amazing force for kindness, gentleness, and understanding. My kids grew up watching his (even then seemingly outdated) show; and especially in my son, he seemed to induce a real calm. I remember when he could barely talk, but he would sit quietly in front of Mr. Rogers and call him "Big Daddy." So sweet.

[moosewhisperer]

3. still going strong

My four year old son watches Mr. Rogers shows I ordered from Amazon. His first reaction was "That man is talking to me." It was the genuine connection that compelled him to listen to what this gentle man was saying, rather than just tuning out the parents. Also, PBS has reinvented the show as the animated Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, which still applies many of the same concepts.

[frazzled]

4. Glad to hear it.

But how many parents go to the lengths you did to order the old programs from Amazon? I don't have any grandchildren yet, but I did spend five days with my then three-year old grandniece, who was visiting while her Dads were mostly out. It was so funny: since they don't have a TV, she is used to watching children's shows that have been downloaded to an iPad for her. She couldn't understand the concept of TV. The first day we watched a children's show together, and the next day I told her she could watch another show while I was preparing dinner. She said she wanted to see the show from yesterday. I said I wasn't sure it was on today, and her response was one of bewilderment: "But you had it yesterday, just press the button!"

I have a lot to catch up on with today's young children. Thanks for the tip about Daniel Tiger's neighborhood. It sounds wonderful. And it sounds like you are doing a wonderful job of parenting!

[moosewhisperer]

8. Thank you

Thank you for the compliment. It was the video of Mr. Rogers' appearance before congress in 1969 that motivated me to seek out his shows for my son. His sincerity about boys learning to connect with their (and others') feelings really struck a chord. Preschool is about so much more than ABCs and 123s.

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[alp227]

10. Damn, I feel OLD.

(and I was watching PBS kids shows when Fred rogers was still alive, Newt Gingrich was speaker of the house, and Michael Jordan was playing basketball!) First the DVD replaced videotape, then the DVR replaced live tv, now IPADS replace tv altogether?

Personally I usually watch/listen to real time broadcasts for live programs like news and sports, less and less for pre recorded/filmed shows. I think the younger generation like your grand niece will probably never own a tv set as adults.

[Ian David]

11. Mister Rogers Remixed | Garden of Your Mind | PBS Digital Studios

[Mojorabbit]

12. I love this remix. I watch it ever so often just for fun. nt

[Katashi_itto]

13. I bet making them watch C-SPAN calms them down...

[world wide wally]

2. Does a constant diet of John McCain and Lindsay Graham on television increase anxiety in children

too or just adults?

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. Another side of the coin, however..

My sons were not allowed to watch anythng but PBS when they were pre-school.
The basic Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, Electric Company.
3 days after beginning kindergarten, one kid started spouting off racial stereotype remarks.
I asked him where he had heard that, he said classmates.
Found that very interesting, at the time.
No long term effect, I am happy to say, but I was blown away that it took less than a week to counter a couple of years of Seasame Street.

[groundloop]

7. I'd argue that one incident didn't counter Sesame Street at all....

But that your calm intervention and explanation about some people being hateful probably strengthened what he had already learned.

[G_j]

6. hate to say it, but duh!! nt

[mwooldri]

9. I guess this makes a good case for hard-wiring my TV to 4-2.

4-2 UNC TV's Kids Channel (though most call it PBS Kids). And the most brilliant thing about it? No cable subscription needed. I guess Captain Obvious strikes again - ensuring your child is in a loving environment with appropriate reinforcement of this message.