Some popular television may have a negative effect on children\u2019s brain function. New studies are examining whether fast-paced, fantastical television has short- and long-term effects.<\/p>\n
One study divided sixty 4-year-old children into three groups. One group was shown a nine-minute segment of Spongebob Squarepants; the second group was shown a nine-minute segment of a slower-paced cartoon; children in the last group did not watch any show, but were given paper, crayons, and markers, and drew pictures for nine minutes.<\/p>\n
After the nine minute activity, \u201ceach child was administered a set of standard exercises designed to test such aspects of executive function as working memory, attention and self-regulation.\u201d The first group performed much worse on such tasks than did either the slower-paced TV show viewers or the kids who colored. This study suggests that viewing frenetic animated television might impair a 4-year-old\u2019s executive functions, such as memory and attention.<\/p>\n
If your child is still in the developmental stage of life, I recommend you encourage activity that helps promote healthy brain function, such as puzzles, sports and playing outside. Stay away from anything that harms brain function, such as fast-paced TV shows and video games, and make sure your child receives all the vital nutrients needed to ensure healthy growth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Some popular television may have a negative effect on children\u2019s brain function. New studies are examining whether fast-paced, fantastical television has short- and long-term effects. One study divided sixty 4-year-old children into three groups. One group was shown a nine-minute segment of Spongebob […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[151,152,156],"tags":[170,172],"class_list":["post-38","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-brain-function-2","category-children-2","category-lifestyle-2","tag-brain-function","tag-children"],"yoast_head":"\n