In one report, one quarter of the sixth grade children studied watched television over five hours on weekdays and over eight hours on weekends. What children watch is probably as important as how much television they watch. Research indicates that children who watch violent programs are more likely to engage in aggressive behavior. The second most common activity for children is playing with friends. Children who play with friends gain important opportunities to develop social skills most associated with achievement and success.
Homework is the third most common activity.
It can take up approximately 30 to 45 minutes of a child's daily time. Other common activities in a child's day include playing by oneself, doing chores, reading, and engaging in sports. They may go different places on different days, or go from one setting to another in a single afternoon. Quality school-age care is a setting that provides these ingredients and can be a vital factor in children's safety and positive development. Beth M. Miller is Research Associate for the School-Age Child Care Project at the Center for Research on Women at Wellesley College.