| The question about the television ADHD | | | | attention to slower moving situations like a |
| connection has been around for a while, and | | | | math class can become really difficult. The |
| different studies seem to suggest different | | | | earlier the exposure, the more likely a child |
| answers. However a recent study carried out | | | | acquires problems with attention. |
| last year on kindergartners suggests that | | | | |
| television is not to blame for ADHD symptoms. | | | | Whether this theory holds true or not, |
| | | | watching television for long hours at a time |
| But before you rush off to turn on the TV | | | | is still not a good activity for your child |
| there are some points worth noting. | | | | however stimulating it is considered to be. |
| | | | |
| In a previous study researchers found that | | | | The American Academy of Pediatrics currently |
| children aged 1- 3 who watched television had | | | | recommend that children under 2 do not watch |
| an increased risk of attention problems by | | | | television over concerns that it effects |
| the time they reached age 7. They concluded | | | | brain development and social, emotional and |
| that for each hour of TV watched a day the | | | | cognitive abilities. |
| risk of attention problems rose by just short | | | | |
| of 10% at age 7. | | | | Continue reading for more tips on reducing TV |
| | | | time and to sign up for the free recognizing |
| However there are a number of limitation with | | | | and treating ADHD newsletter. |
| this study. The children taking part in the | | | | |
| study were not formally diagnosed as having | | | | So, although recent studies suggest that |
| ADHD. Rather the parents were merely asked | | | | there is no correlation between kindergartner |
| assessment questions that helped determine if | | | | aged children and ADHD there are confirmed |
| the children showed similar behaviors to ADHD | | | | links that watching too much TV means a lower |
| like inattention, impulsively and | | | | reading ability, as well as the risk of |
| hyperactivity. | | | | obesity and increased violent behavior. |
| | | | Therefore the following precautions may be |
| Perhaps children who have inherent attention | | | | wise: |
| problems are more pulled towards television | | | | |
| and parents who have children with ADHD and | | | | - no TV for children under two years old |
| other attention disorders are more willing to | | | | |
| let their children sit in front of the TV as | | | | - limit older children's TV viewing to 1 - 2 |
| they seem better behaved and more focused. | | | | hours a day |
| | | | |
| Researchers have also proposed that early | | | | - remove TV's from children's bedrooms |
| exposure to TV could lead to a shortened | | | | |
| attention span. This is based on the premise | | | | The recent study showed that the connection |
| that children spending hours in front of the | | | | between television and ADHD does exist but I |
| TV are conditioned to tune into rapid moving | | | | think the debate will rumble on for some |
| images. | | | | time. As with most things in life, everything |
| | | | in moderation seems to be a great motto and |
| The real world isn't like this and paying | | | | one that applies to TV viewing as well. |