Even if all this viewing time were devoted to quality programming, it would be severely limiting time for other valuable activities. Childhood is a period of growth and development when children need to read, play alone and with other children, explore their interests, learn new skills, exercise, and think. You should limit your children's viewing to one or two hours per day. Your children probably won't like being kept away from the TV set. But establishing good habits that will enhance their development is worth the effort.
Television watching is often more habit than choice.
You can easily eliminate some TV watching by setting a few basic rules, such as no television during meals, or until household tasks and homework are completed. Also, encourage your children to plan their viewing by using a TV Guide or newspaper listing rather than flipping through the channels to decide what to watch. Your family should turn on your set for specific programs turn it off when they are over. Don't be surprised if your children go through a sort of withdrawal when their television time is reduced. You can ease the transition by encouraging and participating in such alternative activities as sports, games, chores, reading, conversation, or hobbies.