We started a discussion about television in school at the tail end of the Jan. 16 PTA meeting; unfortunately, due to the late hour, the discussion was truncated. I mentioned that I was surprised and distressed about the quantity and quality of television my son has been watching since starting Stoddert.
It seems that movies are shown in the classroom at recess if it is raining (unfortunately, we've had a lot of rain). However, when you add the movie that is shown in aftercare, if it's raining, this may add up to two or three hours of TV that day at Stoddert. Additionally, movies may be shown in class for special occasions. But I was particularly shocked about the movie on the bus of the field trip--I feel this is (a) unnecessary; and (b) that passengers are unfairly captive viewers (I think the particular movie at that time was a somewhat violent/gruesome dinosaur movie).
However, there are two points to this issue (1) Quantity and (2) Quality. There are an innumerable amount of films that are both entertaining and educational produced by PBS and National Geographic (for kids) as well as other outlets. And given that this is a school, I would assume that educational quality would be a priority.
Many people make the mistaken assumption that because something is animated, it is appropriate for children. Some age-old favorites like Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, or Tom and Jerry have a surprising amount of guns and shooting in them (and studies do show that young kids seeing violent media are more likely to act out aggressively to peers). Also, what might be okay for 7 year olds is not necessarily okay for 4 and 5 year olds. I know, because I have seen my son's fitful night sleep on the evening after a seemingly benign movie was shown at school.
A parent told me that DCPS may have a list of approved films for showing in schools. I am working to find out more about this.
I feel that we, as adults today, are too quick to plug children in front of a screen to make them still and quiet. But on a bus, where there is scenery to look at, or songs to sing, it is really not called for. Adults in an educational environment should be encouraged to lead children in songs, or games, or know how to interact with them (as our teachers and aftercare staff do the great majority of the time) rather than choosing, too quickly, to plug them in front of a screen. I know that the absence of a gym for indoor play is a disadvantage. In that case, I would be eager to see a list of films, or a library of films that teachers can use, perhaps marked by grade level, or with some procedure for selecting films, rather than an individual's spontaneous judgment that a certain film is appropriate for all the children.
I look forward to hearing what others think.
--Jennie B.
