Learn to Read - TV

Television can be a great tool for education too. The keys are setting limits, making good choices, taking time to watch together, discussing what you view, and encouraging follow-up reading.

What To Do

1. Limit your child's television viewing time and make your rules and reasons clear. Involve your child in choosing which programs to watch. Read the TV schedule together to choose.
2. Monitor what your child is watching, and whenever possible, watch the programs with your child.
3. When you watch shows with your child, discuss what you have seen so your child can better understand the programs.
4. Look for programs that will stimulate your child's interests and encourage reading (such as dramatizations of children's literature and programs on wildlife, natural history, and science).

Many experts recommend that children watch no more than 10 hours of television each week. Limiting television viewing frees up time for reading and writing activities.

It is worth noting that captioned television shows can be especially helpful with children who are deaf and hard of hearing, studying English as a second language, or having difficulty learning to read.

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Courtesy of Education Publications Center

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