His remark refers to a week in April organized by TV-Free America 8 when millions of families turn off their television sets and replace passive viewing with family activities. There is a growing concern that families focus far more on television than they do on each other, and this focus is taking its toll on social relations within the family. In addition, many other activities such as civic duty and volunteerism are neglected because of the massive amounts of time spent in front of the television. In the United States it is estimated that viewing is now in excess of 350 billion hours per year. 9 Imagine how much socializing and meaningful activity could take place in families and communities if that number were cut even in half.
Television impacts children on many levels - physically, emotionally, socially, and mentally.
Kindergarten teachers have often noted that children who watch television or videos tend to have difficulty with creative play. Their imagination and fantasy seem weakened by regularly viewing other peoples' imagery. At the same time, teachers have seen amazing results within days of parents' turning off the television for their children. The Alliance for Childhood is based on the thought that all children are wonderful but they need a chance to develop in healthy ways. In February 1999, a small Alliance meeting was called under the dual sponsorship of the Center for the Study of the Spiritual Foundations of Education of Columbia University's Teachers College and Sunbridge College, a Waldorf teacher training center.