A top child psychologist has warned Irish parents that too much television could damage the brains of their little ones.
Although television aimed at young babies has become increasingly popular, Dr. Aric Sigman said that toddlers shouldn’t be given any access to the telly.
According to The Irish Sun, Dr Sigman revealed that parents use television as an ‘electronic babysitter’ despite the fact that too much TV can impact a child’s development and wellbeing.
The doctor explained that eliminating television from your home completely can have a positive impact on their lives.
“Screen time appears to have created the three-parent family.
Watching too much tely can damage your child’s developing
“Reducing total daily screen time for children, and delaying the age at which they start could provide significant advantages for their health and wellbeing.
“The advice from a growing number of researchers, medical associations and government health departments elsewhere is becoming unequivocal reduce screen time.”
Shockingly, the research revealed that by the age of seven, the average child has spent a year of their life watching TV.
“A robust initiative to encourage a reduction in daily recreational screen time could lead to significant improvements in child health and development,” he said.
We know it can be hard to resist plonking our brood in front of the telly when they are driving us crazy but it’s important to get your children out in the fresh air and to keep their minds active.
Here’s our tips for keeping your kids entertained in the rain… away from the TV!