Despite what some people think, television time is not wasted time. In the 60s and 70s, parents and child psychologists coined the phrase “zoning out” to describe the alarmingly slack expression children seemed to get while watching TV. However, further studies have shown that this does not indicate a lack of mental activity. Just the opposite, in fact!
The slack expression comes from heightened concentration, as the developing brain focuses its energy on learning to follow stories and connect visual ideas. Some modern theories go so far as to suggest that an hour of daily television time (of age appropriate material, obviously) can be as beneficial to development as exercise and play.
Should you let the TV be your babysitter? Absolutely not. Television time can and should be bonding time for your family
