helmisaman
Legendary Member
- Messages
- 11,106
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2011
- Messages
- 11,106
- Reaction score
- 266
- Points
- 131
Spongebrains
Kids 'dunces' after 9mins of TV's SpongeBob SquarePants
SPONGEBOB SquarePants can turn kids into dunces, say researchers.
Just nine minutes of watching the cartoon was found to impair the ability of four-year-olds to learn.
Their behaviour was also worse compared to children the same age who spent the time watching a gentler and more realistic programme — or simply reading. The findings yesterday sparked a warning from psychologists that the cartoon's young fans could find themselves out of their depth once they start school.
Professor Angeline Lillard, who led the research, said: "Parents should know that children who have just watched SpongeBob SquarePants, or shows like it, might become compromised in their ability to learn and behave with self-control."
Her study of TV's impact on the minds of American four-year-olds focused on their "executive function" — the ability to pay attention, solve problems and moderate behaviour.
It was found to be severely compromised after watching the wacky fast-paced undersea adventures of SpongeBob. Prof Lillard, of the University of Virginia, said: "A possibility is children identify with unfocused and frenetic characters — then adopt their characteristics."
She urged parents to bear this in mind when deciding which TV shows they let their kids watch. Prof Lillard said: "Executive function is extremely important to children's success in school and in everyday life.
"It's important to their psychological and physical wellbeing."
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/health/health/3808243/Spongebrains.html
Kids 'dunces' after 9mins of TV's SpongeBob SquarePants
SPONGEBOB SquarePants can turn kids into dunces, say researchers.
Just nine minutes of watching the cartoon was found to impair the ability of four-year-olds to learn.
Their behaviour was also worse compared to children the same age who spent the time watching a gentler and more realistic programme — or simply reading. The findings yesterday sparked a warning from psychologists that the cartoon's young fans could find themselves out of their depth once they start school.
Professor Angeline Lillard, who led the research, said: "Parents should know that children who have just watched SpongeBob SquarePants, or shows like it, might become compromised in their ability to learn and behave with self-control."
Her study of TV's impact on the minds of American four-year-olds focused on their "executive function" — the ability to pay attention, solve problems and moderate behaviour.
It was found to be severely compromised after watching the wacky fast-paced undersea adventures of SpongeBob. Prof Lillard, of the University of Virginia, said: "A possibility is children identify with unfocused and frenetic characters — then adopt their characteristics."
She urged parents to bear this in mind when deciding which TV shows they let their kids watch. Prof Lillard said: "Executive function is extremely important to children's success in school and in everyday life.
"It's important to their psychological and physical wellbeing."
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/health/health/3808243/Spongebrains.html
)
