Young children recognize and learn observed behaviors though they do not understand or recognize motives or consequences. Children identify with characters or situations portrayed on television and are likely to imitate the behaviors of familiar characters and situations. Children are attracted to and likely to test behaviors that they have seen on television that were rewarded or not punished. They may be confused by the differences in the behavior limits set and enforced at home and those demonstrated on television. Acceptability of behaviors.
Children assume that behaviors observed on television are appropriate and acceptable.
They will imitate these behaviors in similar situations. Violence seems an acceptable behavior when observed dozens of times each day on television, especially when it seems to result in the desired outcome without punishment or negative results. Make a chart of your children's daily activities, including school, homework, play time, meal times, television watching, video games, etc. Estimate the amount of time your children are involved in each activity. Make a list of the skills, values, beliefs, and behaviors your children will experience and learn from each activity.