Violent TV’s Effect on Children’s Sleep | Tips to Protect your Children | Jada Jackson Dallas Family Therapist
Violent TV’s Effect on Children’s Sleep | Tips to Protect your Children
If you can’t watch something nice, don’t watch anything at all.
In a recent study, researchers observed the sleep habits of 565 pre-school children. They found that those children who viewed age-innappropriate content before bed slept worse than those who did not. Some of you may think “well duh.” It doesn’t take a genius to know that letting your 4-year-old watch Saw 3 before bed is not a good idea. I mean, when I was in preschool Scooby Doo gave me nightmares!
But what some of you may not know is exactly how much watching violence can affect your child’s sleep. Even the smallest amount of violence a preschooler sees on TV can greatly impact his or her slumber. In fact, watching violence before bedtime disturbs their sleep so much that doctors are now saying preschoolers should not watch television with ANY form of violence in it.
So what do we do when even Scooby Doo doesn’t cut it anymore?
Try sticking to educational shows. Preschoolers should be learning how to count, spell and read, not how to catch creepy men dressed up as ghosts. It looks like Scooby Doo, Power Rangers and super heroes will just have to wait. “Content that’s funny for older kids can be too violent for really young children,” said study author Michelle Garrison of the Research Institute, according to HealthDay.
Some Suggested shows:
– Little Einsteins
– Dora the Explorer
– Veggie Tales
– The Backyardigans
– Sesame Street
Once you have decided which shows your toddler will watch, here is additional information for maximizing sleeping patterns. According to ABC Parenting, “Once asleep, most toddlers sleep through most nights without waking mum or dad. But, at this age, getting them to bed in the first place can be a challenge. Toddlers love to test their independence. A firm and consistent bedtime routine will win them over. Here is a suggestion:
Bedtime routine
A consistent bedtime routine helps prepare a child for sleep. Most toddlers are ready for bed between 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm. This is a good time as they sleep deepest between 8pm and midnight. A routine might look something like this:
6.30 pm: Brush teeth and change nappy
6.45 pm: Quiet time (read a book or tell a story)
7 pm: Into bed and kiss goodnight
NOTE: Freely redistribute this resource, electronically or in print, provided you leave the authors, name, credentials, and contact information below intact and include a link to this article.
AUTHOR: Jada Jackson, MS, LMHC – Communicator, Coach & Licensed Mental Health Counselor provides Dallas Family Counseling Services. If you are in need of Family Therapy Services in Fort Worth you can reach Jada at: (469) 757-5215
Filed in: Blog, Children, Dallas Texas Counseling, Family, Jada Jackson, Media, Parenting, Updates
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
Total Life Counseling Center consists of Licensed Counselors, masters level therapists, Español counselors, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, business coaches, and image enhancement coaches who provide counseling for emotional, mental, physical and spiritual care including marriage, individual, family, substance abuse and more. TLC’s family, trauma and marriage experts have been interviewed on National and Local TV/Radio over 200 times for their expert advice on Fox News, OWN, WETV, ABC’s Medical Minute and more. Our skilled counselors are relational, approachable and specialists providing therapy services in the Central Florida area including: Orlando, Winter Park, MetroWest, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, East Orlando, Lake Mary, and Clermont, Boca Raton Florida, and Dallas, TX.
About the Author: Jada Jackson
Related Posts
