Violent TV’s Effect on Children’s Sleep | Tips to Protect your Children | Jada Jackson Dallas Family Therapist

By Published On: July 27th, 20162.6 min read

Violent TV’s Effect on Children’s Sleep | Tips to Protect your Children

If you can’t watch something nice, don’t watch anything at all.  

In a recent study, researchers observed the sleep habits of 565 pre-school children. They found that those children who viewed age-innappropriate content before bed slept worse than those who did not. Some of you may think “well duh.” It doesn’t take a genius to know that letting your 4-year-old watch Saw 3 before bed is not a good idea. I mean, when I was in preschool Scooby Doo gave me nightmares!

But what some of you may not know is exactly how much watching violence can affect your child’s sleep. Even the smallest amount of violence a preschooler sees on TV can greatly impact his or her slumber. In fact, watching violence before bedtime disturbs their sleep so much that doctors are now saying preschoolers should not watch television with ANY form of violence in it.

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So what do we do when even Scooby Doo doesn’t cut it anymore?

Try sticking to educational shows. Preschoolers should be learning how to count, spell and read, not how to catch creepy men dressed up as ghosts. It looks like Scooby Doo, Power Rangers and super heroes will just have to wait. “Content that’s funny for older kids can be too violent for really young children,” said study author Michelle Garrison of the Research Institute, according to HealthDay.

Some Suggested shows:

– Little Einsteins
– Dora the Explorer
– Veggie Tales
– The Backyardigans
– Sesame Street

Once you have decided which shows your toddler will watch, here is additional information for maximizing sleeping patterns. According to ABC Parenting, “Once asleep, most toddlers sleep through most nights without waking mum or dad. But, at this age, getting them to bed in the first place can be a challenge. Toddlers love to test their independence. A firm and consistent bedtime routine will win them over.  Here is a suggestion:

Bedtime routine

A consistent bedtime routine helps prepare a child for sleep. Most toddlers are ready for bed between 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm. This is a good time as they sleep deepest between 8pm and midnight. A routine might look something like this:

6.30 pm: Brush teeth and change nappy
6.45 pm: Quiet time (read a book or tell a story)
7 pm: Into bed and kiss goodnight

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AUTHOR: Jada Jackson, MS, LMHC – Communicator, Coach & Licensed Mental Health Counselor provides Dallas Family Counseling Services. If you are in need of Family Therapy Services in Fort Worth you can reach Jada at: (469) 757-5215

author avatar
Jada Jackson
National TV Host of Emotional Mojo | Jada Jackson, MS, LMHC, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, is called by national TV News outlets and organizations to speak on a variety of topics effecting today's youth, young adults and couples. Jada is an Author, International Communicator, providing Counseling to Couples, Families, and Individuals. She is also a Self-Esteem Coach and Image Enhancement Specialist for Students, Models, and Professionals. As an international model and Commentator with Ebony Fashion Fair she quickly realized the effects of the modeling industry, not only on society, but also the self-image issues of models worldwide. Her experiences lead her to author Be-You-tiful to share her journey on obtaining her healthy self-image to help men and women find their true identity. Societies pressures on Body Image effects people in many different ways: depression, anxiety, self esteem, cutting, eating disorders, sexual promiscuity, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, relationship issues and more. Jada shares her experience, international success and passion to guide others into meaningful and purposeful living, Read more information on Jada Jackson on this site.

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Total Life Counseling Center consists of Licensed Counselors, masters level therapists, Español counselors, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, business coaches, and image enhancement coaches who provide counseling for emotional, mental, physical and spiritual care including marriage, individual, family, substance abuse and more. TLC’s family, trauma and marriage experts have been interviewed on National and Local TV/Radio over 200 times for their expert advice on Fox News, OWN, WETV, ABC’s Medical Minute and more. Our skilled counselors are relational, approachable and specialists providing therapy services in the Central Florida area including: OrlandoWinter ParkMetroWest, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, East OrlandoLake Mary, and Clermont, Boca Raton Florida, and Dallas, TX.

About the Author: Jada Jackson

National TV Host of Emotional Mojo | Jada Jackson, MS, LMHC, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, is called by national TV News outlets and organizations to speak on a variety of topics effecting today's youth, young adults and couples. Jada is an Author, International Communicator, providing Counseling to Couples, Families, and Individuals. She is also a Self-Esteem Coach and Image Enhancement Specialist for Students, Models, and Professionals. As an international model and Commentator with Ebony Fashion Fair she quickly realized the effects of the modeling industry, not only on society, but also the self-image issues of models worldwide. Her experiences lead her to author Be-You-tiful to share her journey on obtaining her healthy self-image to help men and women find their true identity. Societies pressures on Body Image effects people in many different ways: depression, anxiety, self esteem, cutting, eating disorders, sexual promiscuity, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, relationship issues and more. Jada shares her experience, international success and passion to guide others into meaningful and purposeful living, Read more information on Jada Jackson on this site.

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author avatar
Jada Jackson
National TV Host of Emotional Mojo | Jada Jackson, MS, LMHC, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, is called by national TV News outlets and organizations to speak on a variety of topics effecting today's youth, young adults and couples. Jada is an Author, International Communicator, providing Counseling to Couples, Families, and Individuals. She is also a Self-Esteem Coach and Image Enhancement Specialist for Students, Models, and Professionals. As an international model and Commentator with Ebony Fashion Fair she quickly realized the effects of the modeling industry, not only on society, but also the self-image issues of models worldwide. Her experiences lead her to author Be-You-tiful to share her journey on obtaining her healthy self-image to help men and women find their true identity. Societies pressures on Body Image effects people in many different ways: depression, anxiety, self esteem, cutting, eating disorders, sexual promiscuity, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, relationship issues and more. Jada shares her experience, international success and passion to guide others into meaningful and purposeful living, Read more information on Jada Jackson on this site.