Health providers and teachers across the country are reporting faltering academic abilities, attention problems and language difficulties with both reading comprehension and oral expression. Patterson said research suggests a strong link between many of these growing problems and excessive use of media.
Children watch so much television today.
When children participate heavily in these media activities, they tend to lessen other important activities that aid in development of reading, social and some types of thinking skills. Other concerns are that they maintain good eyesight and physical fitness. Louise Davis, Extension child and family development specialist, said the visual nature of television or other media stimulus does not develop the part of the brain responsible for language. Children who watch too much television and do not read enough may have trouble paying attention and listening carefully enough to comprehend language. Davis recommended parents make plans with their children for weekly television viewing.