Television and Video Viewing at Early Childhood All-day Program Settings and Teachers' Recognition of Its Effects on Young Children

This research investigated television and video viewing of young children in early childhood all-day program settings and teachers' recognition of its effects on young children through the survey of 452 early childhood teachers. The results show that television and video viewing is used as a whole group activity during transition period and/or waiting time activity for children who come earlier in the morning and remain late until closing time. It means television and video viewing at early childhood settings is mainly used as a group baby sitter or pacifier. Daily viewing time is about 44.02 minutes and early childhood teachers show low recognition of their role in children's viewing habits. Young children's viewing patterns and time are differed by teachers' variables so that young children of beginning teachers at small size settings appear more viewing time. Teachers show more negative recognition of television and video viewing on young children when they are older and have higher educational level and longer education experiences. The results also show that the more teachers have positive recognition on television and video viewing, the more young children are exposed to television and video viewing in their classes.