What Is the ‘Slow TV’ Movement? Everything Parents Need to Know
By Movieguide® Contributor
More and more parents are embracing the “Slow TV” movement — but what is it? And what do experts have to say about it?
“Slow TV” includes programs that are calmer and simpler than many of the overstimulating programs offered to children today. Older shows like WINNIE THE POOH and RUGRATS, as well as newer ones like BLUEY, offer a nice change of pace from fast and loud shows designed to catch kids’ attention.
Dr. Zabina Bhasin, a Los Angeles-based child and adolescent psychiatrist, told GOOD MORNING AMERICA that these overstimulating shows can “lead to shorter attention spans, heightened irritability and impulsive behaviors,” as kids don’t know how to self-regulate when they’re bored.
The effects of overstimulation on children has been a topic of conversation for over a decade now. Parents.com reported on a 2011 study that found “watching nine minutes of fast-paced programming could impair a child’s executive function, which is the set of cognitive skills needed for impulse control, planning and organization, task initiation, memory, and flexibility.”
READ MORE: YOUTUBE KILLED KIDS TV — HERE’S HOW
Parenting influencer Hazel Tsukano agreed, saying she noticed “hyperactivity, crying, irrational behavior and even aggression” after letting her toddler watch current-day kids TV shows.
“It was interfering with other activities like sleep, physical activity and social interaction,” she added.
To combat these behavioral changes, Tsukano “started looking for shows with lower noise levels, fewer scene changes and more classic, educational storytelling,” like FRANKLIN, LITTLE BEAR and BLUEY.
READ MORE: BLUEY: SEASON ONE
In a recent Instagram post, Tsukano commented on the differences between the kids TV shows of the past and the ones being made today.
“Other than the on-demand nature of today’s TV, let’s also consider how kids programming is so different than it was for us,” she wrote. “It’s fast, loud and overstimulating. It’s often designed to keep kids hooked. It’s not just more screen time — it’s more intense screen time.”
She continued, “Screens are a bigger deal than they used to be. But with a little effort, we can keep them from becoming too big of a deal.”
Dr. Bhasin shared some tips for parents looking to get into the “Slow TV” movement.
“Avoid programs with excessive sound effects, rapid scene changes, or themes centered on hyperactivity or conflict,” she counseled. “Introduce calmer shows and offer alternatives like outdoor play or creative activities. Anything rushed will only create frustration for the child.”
READ MORE: HOW TO HELP YOUR KIDS LIMIT THEIR SCREEN TIME
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