An Article from the American Academy of Pediatrics
Media and Children
Media is everywhere. TV, Internet, computer and video games all vie for our children's attention. The AAP has recommendations for parents and pediatricians.
Today's children are spending an average of seven hours a day on entertainment media, including televisions, computers, phones and other electronic devices. To help kids make wise media choices, parents should monitor their media diet. Parents can make use of established ratings systems for shows, movies and games to avoid inappropriate content, such as violence, explicit sexual content or glorified tobacco and alcohol use.
Studies have shown that excessive media use can lead to attention problems, school difficulties, sleep and eating disorders, and obesity. In addition, the Internet and cell phones can provide platforms for illicit and risky behaviors.
By limiting screen time and offering educational media and non-electronic formats such as books, newspapers and board games, and watching television with their children, parents can help guide their children's media experience. Putting questionable content into context and teaching kids about advertising contributes to their media literacy.
The AAP recommends that parents establish "screen-free" zones at home by making sure there are no televisions, computers or video games in children's bedrooms, and by turning off the TV during dinner. Children and teens should engage with entertainment media for no more than one or two hours per day, and that should be high-quality content. It is important for kids to spend time on outdoor play, reading, hobbies, and using their imaginations in free play.
Television and other entertainment media should be avoided for infants and children under age 2. A child's brain develops rapidly during these first years, and young children learn best by interacting with people, not screens.
- See more at: http://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Pages/Media-and-Children.aspx#sthash.GE9NEtd0.dpuf
Advent like Lent is a time of preparation.
Why not think of preparing for Christmas like you do for Lent by giving up something? Look at the article above and think about turning off some form of media daily for a period of time. Just think how much better your life would be if you turned off the phone for one hour, maybe two hours a day or definitely turning it off when going to bed so that you don't hear the bings of text messages, e-mails etc. all night.
Think how much calmer you will be when Christmas comes having avoiding some of the nonsense that bombards us daily.
Sunday November 30, 2014 - First Sunday of Advent
Monday December 1, 2014 - World AIDS Awareness Day
Calendars for December will be sent home today.
Tuesday December 2, 2014
Wednesday December 3, 2014 Feast of St. Francis Xavier
Reading Coach will work with students today.
Thursday December 4, 2014
Friday December 5, 2014
St. Nicholas Day at OLQM
Saturday December 6, 2014
150th Anniversary Celebration in honor of the Franciscan Sisters of Peekskill- 8th grade will attend
The Franciscan Sisters worked at OLQM from 1932-1980.
Sunday December 7th - Second Sunday of Advent
Reconciliation Class 12:00 noon
1:00 PM Mass for all students
No Biology Class
