Did you know?
In a nationwide survey of 200 daycare centers released in
1994, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) found that
live television (either public or commercial) or
videotapes.
69% (nearly 7 out of 10) of the centers reported that
watching television is among the activities on a typical
day for children at their facilities.
59% (almost 6 in 10) said they had used television at
some time during an average week.
91% of the centers said they have one or more
television sets.
85% said that they had at least one VCR.
Less than 30% viewed cable.
What's Happening:
A question in most parents mind concerns what their children
are doing at daycare centers. This study, one of the few trying
to measure media exposure of preschool children, shows that
at least for part of the day children are watching television.
Childcare professionals cite the educational value of the
programs watched, and indeed, educational preschool
programs were used nearly twice as often as cable or
commercial programs.
Given the growing concern of the effect of media on young
children, parents concern over the use and amount of
television viewing in daycare centers is valid. In evaluating
television use parents should focus on the following areas:
How much time during the day do children watch TV? Is
the television on continually during the day? Are
programs shown at specific periods every day? Or is
television viewing reserved for occasional viewing
during the week?
Are the children forced to watch television? Is it the only
activity available during the time the set is on?
What programs are being watched? Does the center
use commercial, cable, public educational television
programs or videos?
Is the content of the program viewed geared to the
ages of the children watching?
If videos are used, has the content been rated as to the
suitability for viewing by young children?