Presents are more than toys, but are they doing what you want?
As you choose presents , think about what the gift will do for your children.
Dr. Rich O'Neill, psychologist at SUNY Upstate, says they could increase safety (bicycle helmet) or increase physical activity and reduce chances of obesith (bicycle), or promote family activities (sneakers for both parent and child).
The gift can also steer a child: a big issue is tv or computer for the youngster's bedroom. Kids spend an average 7+hours daily with social media, and if a tv is in the bedroom, for example, that number goes up, along with the chance to be obese. And, shows may model bad behavoir like smoking, being unrealistically thin, or not eating properly.
O'Neill points out that social media also provide good models, especially when shared with a parent in a public place, like a family room. That way a parent can point out that negative stuff is not the norm or what you expect, with unexpected consequences. And young viewerw can see positive ways to resolve conflicts and increase tolerance of 'others.'
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reviews items and has warnings for possible unsafe toys and gifts, and the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics has a look at positives and negatives of media
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