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?

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