Suggestions for Television and Games Consoles Policy
Do you believe that watching television in certain conditions can aid young children’s
attention, comprehension and vocabulary? However, research has shown that having a TV
on as background noise can be detrimental to a child’s play and concentration and reduce
the learning of new vocabulary. Do you believe that the use of games consoles can help to
develop skills such as hand-eye co-ordination and turn taking, but feel that these should be
limited in order to encourage children to participate in a wide variety of activities and
experiences, which help build their all-round development? Do you aim to permit the use of
television and games consoles carefully to ensure that children’s learning is aided and not
compromised?
Everyone’s practice is different. Not all of these points will apply and you may
wish to add some of your own. Your policy must reflect your everyday practice
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Do you ensure that programmes available to children are suitable for their age and
stage of development and will you discuss with parents their wishes for the
programmes and DVD’s they are happy for their child to view? Are children welcome
to bring DVD’s from home? Do you request that this is discussed with you before
hand to ensure that the content will be suitable for all children attending and that the
DVD is brought on a day when your routines will allow time to watch it?
Do you aim to always watch television with young children so that you can talk about
the programme afterwards and you can model any new vocabulary gained? Is
viewing time limited and the TV switched off as soon as the programme is finished or
when children lose interest?
Are children permitted to use games consoles’ providing the game is intended for
their age? Do you work with parents to set realistic time scales for the use of games
consoles? If children wish to bring in consoles or games from home, do you request
that this is discussed with you before hand to ensure the content will be suitable for
all children attending and brought on a day when your routines will allow time to play
it?
If a child attends who has a condition that may be triggered by certain console
games, how do you ensure that no child will be permitted to use games consoles
while that child is present?
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Produced by ChildmindingUK/May 2017/v1