As I look back over my teaching life, I can see a common element in many of my best students: they had very limited access to television. Some had none at all, others only weekend access.
What did I see in these students that set them apart?
· Their concentration was better and their attention span was longer.
· They enjoyed being read to and were quicker to understand humour, meaning and mystery.
· Their work habits were superior… attention to detail in written and artistic work was a delight to see.
· They were self-motivated… I never heard them complain of boredom.
· They were able to converse with adults more easily
· They were more settled and content in themselves and were rarely disruptive in class
Now perhaps it could be said that other factors were at play in these children, so let me pass on a story I heard form a child psychologist some years ago:
A worried father had come to her with a son who had become totally uncontrollable. He was aggressive, disrespectful, disobedient and uncooperative. The father was suspecting some disorder to explain his child’s behavior and hoping for medical or therapeutic support to help with his control. Instead, the psychologist suggested a one month trial of total withdrawal from all television and computer use.
Reluctantly, the father took her advice and, even though the first week was nightmarish, he persisted. By the end of the month the boy was a different child. The aggression had gone, he was speaking respectfully to his parents and was calm, contented and cooperative.
The psychologist added “Unfortunately the father decided to reward his son at the end of the month by restoring all tv and computer privileges.. ….. and the aggressive child returned!!!”)
Do something for your child’s education…turn off the tv.
No comments:
Post a Comment