| The evidence is pretty conclusive - children who | | | | socks together or fold washcloths. Get a child sized |
| watch television are less creative, more likely to be | | | | broom and let them sweep along with you. Even |
| overweight, and have more trouble paying attention in | | | | young children can be taught to rinse dishes or help |
| school. You don't want your children to end up as | | | | load a dishwasher. Regular housework can happily fill |
| couch potatoes. But just how can you raise children | | | | hours for small children. When they're done helping, |
| without TV? What will they do all day? And how will | | | | they'll spend even more time "pretending" to cook, |
| you get a break? | | | | clean, and care for their dolls and stuffed animals on |
| First, stop worrying so much. You can raise children | | | | their own. |
| without television, and you can have a break from | | | | Don't exclude older children from chores just because |
| them sometimes. In fact, if you raise your children | | | | they're not as enthusiastic as your toddlers. Chores |
| without TV they're a lot less likely to need constant | | | | should fill a period of time for children every day. They |
| "entertainment!" | | | | learn valuable skills that will be needed when they have |
| Start by making the choice to go TV free. If you only | | | | their own home. They also learn that everyone in the |
| have a baby, this is pretty easy. You just start by | | | | family helps out, and they develop a good work ethic. If |
| never turning the television on. But if you have older | | | | they've never had to do chores before be patient, but |
| children, even if they're only toddlers, it may be harder | | | | firm. Require good work and require it to be done |
| to pull the plug on the TV. | | | | consistently. |
| With toddlers I recommend you gently, but very firmly | | | | Arts and crafts are another good way to occupy time. |
| tell them that the television is going away. Either put it in | | | | Simple art projects are a great joy for younger |
| a cabinet or get rid of it completely. If you don't have a | | | | children. As they get older, their projects can grow in |
| cabinet and it must stay, cover it up with a pretty | | | | complexity. Building and shop projects are good for |
| blanket or cloth while your child is awake. Make it clear | | | | older children, as well as needlepoint and various |
| that it's not to be turned on - and be firm about it. If | | | | handiwork. |
| your child is used to turning it on whenever they want | | | | Don't neglect time outdoors. Children can and should be |
| you'll need to be persistent, but it can be learned. | | | | taught to enjoy being outside in all seasons. Make sure |
| If you're taking away the television from older children, | | | | they're dressed appropriately - this is especially |
| sit down and explain to them what's going on, and why | | | | important for children because they're often not as |
| you feel the way you do. Expect some grumbling and | | | | aware of their body's signs of being too hot or too |
| complaining but stand firm. You may decide to have a | | | | cold as an adult is. But once you have them dressed |
| family movie night once a week or something similar to | | | | well, send them outside (or go out with them). You |
| help ease the transition. | | | | may need to give guidance at first, teaching childhood |
| Expect to need to fill your child's time constructively | | | | games or providing them with outside toys. But |
| when the television is first gone. Children in past times | | | | eventually your children will be able to play their own |
| could entertain themselves for hours on end, but that's | | | | creative games outside. |
| not so with children today. They're too used to being | | | | Provide good inside toys, too. Get away from |
| entertained by shows and games. | | | | character toys and electronic toys. Give them toys like |
| Reading to your children, or providing them with a lot of | | | | baby dolls, toy food and dishes, toy tools (real tools for |
| books is a good start. Telling stories is another great | | | | an older child), Legos and other building toys, etc. |
| thing to do. Even older children are very interested in | | | | These toys allow freedom of imagination and |
| stories. Tell stories of adventures from your own | | | | creativity. |
| childhood, or tell stories that were your favorites when | | | | As you read and tell stories, teach them games, do |
| you were a child. They will like them too. Stories will | | | | craft projects, and just enjoy life with your child, you'll |
| also help grow their imaginations. | | | | find that the television becomes less and less of a |
| Young children will love to help you around the house. | | | | focus. Your child will also become more and more able |
| Involve them in your chores any way you can think of. | | | | to play on their own, with lots of imagination. |
| Let them "dust" with a rag. Teach them to put pairs of | | | | |