CLEVELAND, Dec 17, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- A U.S. pediatrician advises veering
away from videos when giving gifts to small children.
Dr. Michael Macknin, a pediatrician at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital,
says a study found infants 8-16 months old who watched popular baby education
videos for more than one hour a day scored 17 points lower on verbal tests than
peers.
Cartoon watchers, he says, had verbal scores that were 11 points lower. However,
reading to children improved their verbal scores by 12 points.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests total screen time be limited to one
to two hours per day, maximum, for video viewing, television and computer time
combined, Macknin says. Less screen time has been linked to less obesity and
less violent behavior, as well, Macknin says.
Macknin also advises the perfect gift is a helmet.
"Always add a safety helmet when giving a bike, skateboard, scooter or
rollerblades," Macknin says in a statement. "Adding wrist guards for
rollerblades and skateboards can prevent six out of seven fractures."
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