TV can benefit children's educational development, experts say

25 Nov 2008

While most parents know that too much TV is bad for their children, experts say often kids' programmes can be educational.

Watching TV can help encourage a child's mental and physical development as well as benefitting parent-child communication.

Suzie Hayman, spokesperson for Parentline Plus, explained: "Television is often educational and while it may keep the kids entertained if parents have had a hard day or need to get the tea done, it can also be a springboard for important discussions.

"It needs to be kept in perspective and what is right for one family, may not be for another."

Recent research from Freeview revealed that 66% of parents recognised the positive effect of TV on their child's numeracy and musical skills, while 28% claimed that some TV programmes encouraged their child to exercise whilst watching.

The average individual watched an average of three hours and 31 minutes of broadcast TV a day in September 2008, with an increase of 42 minutes a day on the same month last year, the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board reports.

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