Watching TV stops child's imagination
"My baby only eats his food when the TV is on." This common remark can be heard in most homes. The real reason behind this is we don't spend much time for feeding. If the child is eating his food within the stipulated time most of us are happy. The other reason is our laziness. If he finishes his food quickly, then I can go and do my other things. This is what most working women or so-called homemakers think.
If your child is spending an hour daily in front of the TV for example, then he is almost watching seven hours per week and more or less 30 hours per month. This will affect both his eyes and mind. Watching TV almost stops the power of imagination and some children then tend to act like cartoon characters which would affect their mental balance.
Of course there are good programs on TV. But such programs will be beneficial for a child only if the parent also sits along with the child.
Children especially spend most of the time watching TV during their summer holidays. It is because parents usually show contempt for the child during the school break. So they tend to make the child sit in front of the TV and start doing their own jobs.
The main reason behind this is parents think that they cannot keep the children engaged in other activities. There are hundreds of other activities if we use a little bit of our imagination. You can tell them stories of great people, which would give them inspiration and would motivate them for the future. If he has interest in games, say for example tennis, you can tell him stories about his favorite stars that you may have read from the newspaper or magazines.
Children enjoy themselves a lot while playing with their toys. Do sit with them and teach them about etiquette and manners, because usually that is the time they are in the mood to listen. Make them engaged in gardening. Take a turn from the maid in watering the garden. Take your child along with you and let him feel the happiness that gardening can give him.
UMA RAMAKRISHNAN, Jakarta