Encourage your kids to watch programs with characters that are good role models and that handle conflicts well. Encourage related activities and reading. If your kids loved a program about deep sea diving or the Civil War, find books on that subject at the library, take them to a related exhibit at a museum or gallery, or rent a movie on the subject. These types of activities help your children extend their knowledge. Set a positive example.
Children model their parent s behavior.
If they see you spending hours in front of the television, they are more likely to do the same. If they see you reading, writing, or playing games, they will get the message that these activities are important too. This column by Samantha Moores is provided as a public service by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, a nonprofit institution working with schools and communities in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.