Will watching television affect my child's language development?
Just like adults, children can find watching television relaxing, especially when they are tired or stressed. Television can be beneficial when used for short spells, but too much can be harmful, so it's important to find the right balance.
Try and stick to these guidelines:
- Try to limit your child's viewing to no more than an hour a day for 3 to 5 year olds and half an hour for under 3s.
- Watch with them if you can and talk about what you see.
- Always turn off when no one is watching as background noise may make it more difficult for your child to develop good listening skills.
- You may find this article from The National Literacy Trust useful.