pic: Aaron EscobarLeave it to the French to show infinite wisdom in their decision to ban French television programs designed for children under three.

Unfortunately, young French children are still exposed to TV programs broadcast from foreign channels on cable but now those channels must warn parents of the negative developmental effects of television watching. Such programming now issues the following warning to French parents...

“Watching television can slow the development of children under 3, even when it involves channels aimed specifically at them.”

Up until a couple of months ago we had begun allowing the odd Beatrix Potter episode to slip in under the radar – particularly when posed with a day of solid rain, or when my nerves were frayed. But we definitely noticed that after watching television, particularly if it was for an extended time (say over 30 minutes), that our child became fratchity, was more prone to temper tantrums and was generally more easily distressed than when he was not exposed to TV.

We’ve noticed a pronounced change since our TV, DVD player and video machine all became irreparably ‘broken’.

When it comes to green parenting and schooling, both the Montessori and Waldorf school systems are anti television, and for good reason.

Watching TV damages the development of children under 3 years old and poses a certain number of risks encouraging passivity, slow language acquisition, over-excitedness, troubles with sleep and concentration as well as dependence on screens. Via [ecochildsplay]