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Tips and resources for parents and caregivers include the following recommendations:
For babies:
•Avoid TV for babies under age two. Choose activities that promote language development and brain growth such as talking, playing, reading, singing and enjoying music.
For children over age two:
•If you allow TV time, choose age-appropriate programs. Involve older children in setting guidelines for what to watch. Use guides and ratings to help, but beware of unproven claims that programs or DVDs are educational. Even cartoons produced for children can be violent or over stimulating.
•Limit TV time to no more than two hours per day. Less is better.
•Keep TV off during meals.
•Set "media-free" days, and plan other fun things to do.
•Avoid using TV as a reward.
•Turn off TV when a chosen program is over. Don't leave TV on as background filler or while engaging in other activities. When no one is actively watching, turn TV off.
•Watch TV with your child. Talk about what you see and engage with your child about the content.
•Keep TVs out of bedrooms.
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