by Elizabeth Jensen

Created on: May 24, 2007

I believe that parents should not limit their children by eliminating television in their homes. While I do see benefits to not allowing television, I also see some very good reasons that it should be allowed. Television can be educational and informative. Children are opened up to the world through news and Discovery Channel-type programs. Television can spark conversation among family members.

My first belief is that television can truly be educational. It is not, however, a substitute for active parenting. It should be used as a supplemental tool. For example, my two year old daughter watches shows like Dora the Explorer and Blue's Clues. We watch them together and actively participate in helping Dora count or say words. Because of this, my daughter has learned a few Spanish words that I would not have been able to otherwise teach her. She counts her grapes at lunch and says, "Yea! I did it!" like Dora. When we watch Blue's Clues, we help find clues and figure things out. Parents should really participate with their children to make it a full educational experience. To add another point, you are spending time with your child at the same time.

Television can also be educational through programs geared toward older children and adults. The Discovery Channel has some excellent programs and specials. For example, my whole family watched "Planet Earth" and saw parts of the world that we will never see for ourselves. I learned things about the planet that I never learned anywhere else. Reading about it in a book or magazine just would not have done justice to being able to watch long video clips of some magnificent animals and natural wonders.

Television is also informative. While there are many news stories that are not appropriate for younger children, it is important that older children learn about the world and what is currently going on in it. Yes, they could read a newspaper, but where I grew up, we had a weekly newspaper that only covered events in the county we lived in. Others have access to newspapers that cover the world. It is important that they both read and watch. The news on television is more up-to-date than that in the newspaper. For younger children, it can be their first experience with meteorology. Watch the weather with them and try to explain it in terms they can understand. Use it to help them draw weather pictures, just for fun.

Television can also be a great conversation starter among family members. Communication is very important for a close family. Why not talk about something you saw or heard on television?

Television can open a child's mind to possibilities. Sure a book might do the same, but it can be more influential if they can see it. An example of this might be the presidential election. As a child, I saw the First Lady on television doing a campaign speech to help her husband get re-elected. Because I could see the passion in her face for her cause, I decided I wanted to go into politics when I was older. If I had never seen that, I might not have wanted that as a career. The point is that it opened me up to an idea I'd never had before.

I believe that television can be a beneficial tool in raising a child. It is never a substitute for good parenting, but can actually help you to be a better parent. Television can be educational and get you involved in your child's life. It may open your child's mind to other possibilities in life. With a little monitoring and some limitations, television can be good for children.

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