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Infants & Toddlers

What does the new AAP policy say about screentime for babies?
 What does the new AAP policy say about screentime for babies? 150 150 Mediatrics

On Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics came out with a revised policy on media for kids two and younger. The recommendations for this age group are much the same as they were in 1999—that it is best for their developing brains and bodies to avoid both screen use (such as placing a toddler in…

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Can TV help my infant sleep while keeping me awake?
 Can TV help my infant sleep while keeping me awake? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My boyfriend and I just had a beautiful baby boy. He is a month old. I like to leave the TV on even if he is sleeping so that I can stay awake. I was hoping that the noise would be good for him and that it would keep me awake while he sleeps.…

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Is it OK that my toddler doesn’t like TV?
 Is it OK that my toddler doesn’t like TV? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My two year old has no interest in watching television at all, and my friends think it’s weird. Should I be concerned?
A: No way! The scientific research we have to date supports your decision not to put her in front of an electronic screen until she turned two.

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How can I tell which films are OK for my child?
 How can I tell which films are OK for my child? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: Are two year olds too young to see films like Tangled? What should I consider when thinking about taking my kids to the movies?
A: If what you imagine her seeing, hearing, and understanding is what you want for her to experience, then take her and enjoy it together, keeping in mind these developmental considerations.

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The Mediatrician’s New Year’s Resolutions for 2011
 The Mediatrician’s New Year’s Resolutions for 2011 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: What sort of media-related resolutions do you suggest for families?
A: Ones that are free, attainable, and fun to work toward! These 8 simple goals will help you tweak your family’s media use and enjoy the resulting time together.

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The Good News about Children and Media in 2010
 The Good News about Children and Media in 2010 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: It seems like all we ever hear about are the negative effects of media. What research has been done on using media in positive ways?
A: Indeed, studies in the past year indicate just how positive media can be for children and families when it is used in a controlled way, paying particular attention to its content and the context in which it is used.

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The Top Mediatrician Q&As of 2010
 The Top Mediatrician Q&As of 2010 150 150 Mediatrics

Each week this year, you asked our Mediatrician, Dr. Michael Rich, your most pressing questions about the effects of media on kids, and he answered! Here are the top 10 most-viewed Ask the Mediatrician Q&As of 2010.

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How can I tactfully ask our family not to give my kids character toys?
 How can I tactfully ask our family not to give my kids character toys? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I don’t want to seem ungrateful, and I know my children would probably like the Dora or Batman version of toys, but I just find that sort of commercialism unnecessary. How can I tell my family that we’d prefer they not get the character versions of toys when giving my kids gifts?
A: Let your family know how important it is to you that your child make up her own stories during plattime instead of having her playtime scripted by pre-digested plotlines.

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Do you have any tips on good gifts for kids?
 Do you have any tips on good gifts for kids? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: Help! I’m shopping for kids of all ages this year for the holidays, and don’t know where to begin. What are your thoughts about the kinds of toys that are good for kids?
A: This year, focus on the CHILD–opt for Creative gifts you’ve decided upon after doing your Homework on the recipients’ interests, keeping in mind the importance of Imagination, Learning, and making Donations.

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What do kids learn from TV shows, like ‘Pingu’, that don’t have dialogue?
 What do kids learn from TV shows, like ‘Pingu’, that don’t have dialogue? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: Are shows like ‘Pingu’ that have no dialogue a better media option for young kids because they require a little bit more interaction and cognitive activity on the part of the viewer?
A: They certainly can be: ‘Pingu’ teaches kids how to decipher a visual story and to respond to it in their own imaginative, creative ways.

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