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Nurturing Healthy Foundations for Children |
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Parents not only entrust their children's physical ailments to physicians,
but in recent times, they also seek their assistance in addressing
behavioral issues. Riding this wave, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
has advised doctors to inquire about children's media usage during routine
medical check-ups. This proactive approach can significantly contribute to
identifying detrimental patterns that pose risks to the child's emotional
and physical well-being.
On numerous occasions, parents have received complaints from schools
regarding their children's aggressive conduct. Rather than seeking the help
of behavioral psychologists, such concerns are often directed towards the
family doctor. A doctor affiliated with the AAP comments, "By examining the
child's history, we often discover that they have been spending excessive
hours watching violent television shows and engaging in aggressive computer
games. At the very least, this information provides a starting point."
Another doctor adds, "The child may be imitating violent behavior, and the
parents may be unaware of it."
Obesity is another pressing issue that deeply concerns many parents. During
conversations with children, doctors often find that excessive television
and video viewing, coupled with insufficient exercise, contribute to this
problem. "This is another way in which media habits can impact health,"
states the doctor.
The AAP recommends a maximum of two hours of high-quality television or
video content per day for older children. However, for toddlers under the
age of two, the AAP strongly advises against any television consumption.
Excessive and indiscriminate exposure to media can result in various side
effects, including recurrent aggression towards peers or adults, declining
academic performance, frequent nightmares, increased consumption of
unhealthy foods, and, later on, a higher likelihood of engaging in smoking,
drinking, and drug use.
Critics, however, swiftly counter by asserting that adults should adopt a
comprehensive approach to parenting instead of solely targeting the media.
Presently, parents seem engrossed in the pursuit of materialistic endeavors,
leaving insufficient time for other essential aspects of life. These critics
contend that if parents were to assess the situation and prioritize
accordingly, there is a significant probability that they would spend more
time with their children, closely supervise them, and actively monitor their
media consumption habits.
Undeniably, parents bear considerable responsibility in shaping their
children's lives. While the media also carries a certain degree of
accountability, the home environment plays a paramount role in providing the
necessary foundations for a child's upbringing. |
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