Screens are a big part of modern daily life, but are they safe for your child? Many busy parents find that allowing their little one to watch TV for a few hours a day is the only way to get things done. However, today's research indicates that allowing young children and toddlers to watch TV could have a negative effect on their education once they start formal schooling. If you have a child under 5 who watches TV, here's what you need to know.

Does TV Really Affect Education?

In a recent study from the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, the TV habits and learning abilities of children were recorded to see if there was a correlation between the two. It may come as little surprise to know that children who watched more TV had lower mathematics and executive functioning abilities. Executive functioning is a set of skills that help you manage time, pay attention and get things done; many parents know poor executive function as a symptom of ADHD. The study shows that children who watch more TV are less likely to be school-ready, which could lead to lasting education underperformance.

How Much TV is Safe?

Experts recommend that children under 18 months should not watch TV at all if possible. Those under 2 can be introduced to high-quality, child-focused media but should not watch TV more than 1 hour per day until they're at least 5 years old. The negative effects of TV can be reduced by restricting media to the most educational programming available. Opt for non-fiction shows about science and exploration or fictional shows which deal with real-life educational topics across mathematics, literacy and executive functioning. Of course, even when your child's TV shows are educational, less TV is still best.

What's the Alternative to TV Watching?

The most obvious solution to this problem is to restrict your child's TV viewing, but this isn't practical for all parents. Many mothers and fathers are single parents who need to manage a household or self-employed parents who need time away from children to get work done. If you struggle to keep your child entertained without TV while you work, consider early childhood education at a daycare or preschool centre, such as Hopskotch Kindergarten. Allowing a qualified childhood education to take care of your child will help get them school ready and give you much needed time in your day to manage life and work.