How many hours a week do your kids watch television? According to The Nielsen Company, kids ages 2-5 spend more than 32 hours a week in front of the TV screen, while 6- to 11- year-olds spend about 28 hours a week.
And those statistics don’t factor in time spent on computers or smart phones or other media platforms.
What all those hours add up to is lots and lots of ads. Children are bombarded with advertisements for everything from the latest tech gadget to the newest twist on Classic Coke. Few if any of those ads are about getting outside to exercise or spending time reading.
According to Maanasi, a blogger on momjunction.com, there are a number of potentially harmful effects of advertising on children. They include:
• Advertisements encourage children to ask their parents to buy the products they see in commercials, regardless of whether they need them or not.
• Children are likely to focus on the negatives rather than the positive side of the messages.
• Flashy ads on TV, the Internet, magazines, etc. create a tendency for impulse shopping.
• Many advertisements involve dangerous stunts, which children imitate as they do not understand the warnings that come with the ads.
• With so many attractive commercials marketing junk foods and sugary beverages, these ads encourage unhealthy eating, which in turn has led to an increase in obesity, diabetes, heart problems and other conditions in young children.
• Child advertising may impact self-esteem, making kids feel inferior to their peers if they do not have the latest products seen in commercials.
• Sexually suggestive ads make children objectify women and allow them to think that looking or acting a certain way is the only way to make friends or be popular.
Although parents and other who care about kids can always organize and protest against deleterious commercials, I think that the advertising of everyday life might be even more effective.
The advertising of everyday life is comprised of those homespun messages that parents, grandparents and other caregivers pass along to their children. Almost everyone can think of one or two from our growing up years. I believe that parents and other caring adults can be just as clever as Madison Avenue.
My mom, an antiques dealer known in the business as Antique Evelyn, was a businesswoman and collector of old advertising signs and tins. When I was about 12, Antique Evelyn brought home an old sign that read: “None of us in our business or social life can coast along on a reputation of past performances. It’s the good job we do today that counts.”
She framed the sign and placed it in a strategic place in the bathroom—just behind the toilet. This way my younger brother and I (and our dad) would come eye-to-eye with the sign several times a day, every day, year in and year out. According to my own calculations I read her “advertisement” at least 5,000 times during my teenage years.
Coaches have motivational slogans, preachers have spiritual sermons, teachers have instructional lessons and my mom had not-so-subliminal signs. These are the advertisements of everyday life. Some people might refer to this as imparting values.
Oh, and about mom’s sign; it hangs in my office, right next to my desk where I see it every day.
From left, North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center Executive Director Andrew Malekoff, event co-chairs Mike Mondiello and Troy Slade, honoree Ed Haug and event founder Jeff Krevat. (Photo courtesy of North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center)
North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center, the preeminent not-for-profit children’s mental health agency on Long Island, once again hosted a joyful event filled with golf, tennis and an extraordinary dinner at our 22nd annual Jonathan Krevat Memorial Golf and Tennis Classic on June 18 at The Creek in Locust Valley.
The event raised more than $230,000 to support the guidance center’s work to bring hope and healing to children and families dealing with mental health or substance use challenges.
This year’s honoree was Ed Haug, Managing Partner of Haug Partners LLP, a pioneer East Coast law firm and provider of synthesized, multidisciplinary legal services for life science and technology businesses.
“Everyone had a great time on this magnificent golf course and on the tennis courts, and the elegant steak and lobster dinner was exquisite” said Haug. “But the most important thing is that we came together so that children and their families will continue to receive the life-saving services of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center Guidance Center.”
The co-chairs for this year’s Krevat Cup were Mike Mondiello, Michael Schnepper and Troy Slade.
In addition, Dan Donnelly, last year’s honoree, served as the auctioneer at this year’s event.
“It’s all about the kids,” said Donnelly, a longtime support of the Guidance Center. “I consider it a privilege to be here today to help raise money to support the incredible work that truly makes a difference in the lives of children and their families.”
“We’re so grateful to all of the people who worked so hard to make this year’s event a huge success,” said Andrew Malekoff, executive director of the guidance center. “Their dedication to our work enables us to provide the services to all those who need them, despite their ability to pay.”
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Fourth of July festivities? For many, a barbeque or a swim in the pool or ocean makes the day special. For others, fireworks are the main attraction. (For more information on summer safety from the National Safety Council, click here.)
But fireworks can create a lot of anxiety in some children. What can you do if your child is frightened by all the noise and commotion that comes with fireworks?
First and most important: Go to a professional fireworks display instead of having one at your home. The dangers of even something as simple as a sparkler (which can cause second degree burns) are just too great.
But even if you don’t have a show near you, it’s likely that your neighbors will be setting off some of their own fireworks, so either way you need to prepare your noise-averse children.
One way to help your child deal with their fears is to show them YouTube videos or photos in books of fireworks and explain what they are. Of course, let them know that the actual fireworks display will be much bigger—but also much, much farther away, so let them know they are safe.
Listen to your child’s concerns, and never tell them they’re being silly. It’s normal for them to have a fear of the unknown, so answer each question in a calm manner.
Since fireworks are later than some kids’ bedtimes, make sure they get enough sleep during the day. A toddler without a nap will more likely be overwhelmed than a well-rested young one.
If you plan to go to a popular fireworks display, try to find a spot that’s removed from the biggest crowds, since lots of people plus lots of fireworks equal lots of noise! Seek out a location that’s close enough to see the display but far enough away from the masses.
Finally, if your child is especially sensitive to loud sounds, consider purchasing some noise-cancelling headphones or use an iPod. Sometime simple solutions work best!
