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Preschoolers

How can parents make the internet a safe place to play?
 How can parents make the internet a safe place to play? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: With kids of all ages using the internet for everything from socializing to finding information to playing games, how can we keep them as safe as they can be in that world? -Net Nervous A: Dear Net Nervous, You’re right–just like the school playground, the internet is a place where children play, learn, and…

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How can my kids experience nature when we live in a media-saturated city?
 How can my kids experience nature when we live in a media-saturated city? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I live in a big city with my 3 year old son and 1 year old daughter, and I’ve noticed that children who live in such cities spend a lot of time playing on cement playgrounds and on the Web. I know that spending time in nature is good for children’s development, but how…

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Where can I find books for young advanced readers?
 Where can I find books for young advanced readers? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My 8-year-old son is a precocious reader, and I am having a hard time finding books that are both age-appropriate and challenging enough to keep him engaged. I worry that the books at his reading level are too violent or contain other content that he’s not ready for. Where can I find books (lots…

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Ratings Reality: Who rates our media and what that means for children
 Ratings Reality: Who rates our media and what that means for children 150 150 Mediatrics

CMCH staff member Kristelle Lavallee contributed the following post to Thriving, Boston Children’s Hospital’s pediatric health blog. Are you looking to take the family to a movie but aren’t sure whether your child should see The Hunger Games (PG-13) or Bully (unrated)? If you base the decision on the Motion Picture Association of American (MPAA) ratings, the answer…

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What could possibly make my two year old so scared of an eyeglass commercial?
 What could possibly make my two year old so scared of an eyeglass commercial? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: When a certain commercial for eyeglasses comes on TV, my two year old practically jumps in my arms and holds on for dear life! In it, one pair of eyeglasses makes a karate noise and splits into two pairs. I’m pretty sure it’s the karate sound that scares her, since her brother wears glasses…

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My 5 year old is afraid of TV—what do I do?
 My 5 year old is afraid of TV—what do I do? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My 5-year-old daughter does not like TV that involves conflict. She has no desire to see a Disney movie and even gets anxious when a kid gets lost on Veggie Tales. She’ll watch Blues Clues, Yo Gabba Gabba, and Barney but has no desire to watch the shows for her own age. When a movie…

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The Top 10 Mediatrician Q&A’s of 2011
 The Top 10 Mediatrician Q&A’s of 2011 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 from 2011: 1. When should I talk to my girls about media and body image? 2. Are 3D video games safe…

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Do you have any last-minute tips for holiday shopping?
 Do you have any last-minute tips for holiday shopping? 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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How can I get my 2½ year old’s dad to stop showing her movies that scare her?
 How can I get my 2½ year old’s dad to stop showing her movies that scare her? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I am a single mom of a fun-loving 2½ year old who watches about one hour of TV per day. She spends Saturdays with her dad, and she comes home telling me about Scooby Doo, Sponge Bob Square Pants, Happy Feet, Dumbo, and Finding Nemo. I am concerned about the age appropriateness of these…

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How do I get my 4 year old’s grandpa not to play violent video games with him?
 How do I get my 4 year old’s grandpa not to play violent video games with him? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My father-in-law bonds with my 4-year-old son by playing video games. Recently, he bought a LEGO pirates game, rated for 10 year olds, and the two play it for about an hour every time they see each other. I love that they spend time together, but since they started playing this game, my son…

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