Community Magazine May 2013

Dear Sito, My one-year-old daughter was introduced to Barney several months ago, and has absolutely fallen in love. Just 14 months old, she sings along to every song (in her own language) and does all the motions. Before I got married I wanted my home to be television free, not only for the protection from the content, but also because of the inactivity it encourages, especially among children who are known to sit and watch for hours at a time. But although we do not have a television, Barney is accessible on just about any phone or computer. Once in a while I don’t mind, but lately she’s becoming really “addicted,” begging for “BA!” until she throws a tantrum. I don’t know how to get her to kick this habit without totally taking away the educational advantages of the program. What makes matters worse is that family members who are aware of her obsession only feed into it by showing her Barney on their phones or computers, even when I disapprove. How do I go about getting her to watch less Barney? Signed, Too much TV Si•to (sĭtō) Grandmother[Arabic] Ask ito YOU CAN ASK SITO! Send in your toughest queries and requests for the wisdom of Sito mobile: Scan the QR code at right online: go.CommunityM.com/ask email: Ask@CommunityM.com facsimile: 718-504-4246 postal mail: 1616 Ocean Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11223 Dear Too Much TV, As much as we want to protect our children from the negative influences which you mentioned, technology is all around us and the little ones are far more savvy than even the most enlightened parents. I look at all the media sources and marvel at how fast- paced communication has become, with messages getting sent before we even know if they say what we intended them to say (spell check disasters anyone?). Toddlers who barely know how to walk are able to operate cell phones to find the pictures, videos or music they want quicker than you can say “censored.” And if you so much as say, “I don’t want my child exposed to all the media out there” you appear anti-progress or backward. So I clearly understand your concern. Shows like Barney, Sesame Street, and Dora have at their core an educational element which makes them more palatable to parents who want to limit their child’s TV viewing. But if it is used by parents as a “babysitter” too often, or if children become “addicted,” then theymiss out on time they could be using exercising their own imagination and experiencing good old fashioned playtime. Television – even positive educational programming – poses a slippery slope once it becomes part of a parent’s life as an entertainment vehicle for the children. Like most things, it’s all about setting reasonable limits. Therefore, the most important concern is to limit your daughter’s viewing to a percentage of her waking time. Monitor the amount of time she spends in front of a screen, and provide opportunities for healthier activities like running, swinging, building with blocks and playing with water. Try to engage her in other play activities and reserve Barney for before nap time or bedtime. Let family members know that you are encouraging other activities and invite them to take her to the park without Barney. I would even suggest getting her a Barney doll and perhaps a stroller. Let her play with it and sing to it, which will satisfy her connection to the character while also allowing her to use her imagination. Additionally, you should bear in mind that at her age infatuations are short-lived, and she will soon move on to the next fuzzy character. So do not be concerned by her emotional connection to a purple dinosaur, as long as her passive viewing time is limited and she is exposed to a range of healthier activities. All the Best, Sito 84 Community magazine