Americans have a love-hate relationship with TV. More precisely, we all love it, but there is a persistent, pernicious suspicion that it just might be rotting our brains. When we turn the tube on for our own enjoyment that's one thing, but thinking about how TV will affect your child is a more serious issue. Even kids who are involved in sports, arts, and music are bound to have a television in their home, and it will inevitably be a part of their life. You should take a proactive role in deciding what your kids watch, and what function TV has in their life.

Without a doubt, there is plenty of junk on TV that might, indeed, turn your offspring's mind to mush. But let's face it, even in quality programming there is plenty of television that would not be appropriate for your child. When searching for quality material for your kids to watch on TV, you shouldn't be focusing on a dichotomy of brain-rotting or not-brain-rotting, you should be phrasing the problem in terms of what shows, programs, and channels are appropriate, constructive, educational and entertaining for youngsters in the age range of your children.

Standard TV includes public broadcasting, and you can always rely on PBS to produce great, classic programs like Sesame Street, but for a wider selection, which will in turn apply to a larger age range of children with more diverse interests, investing in satellite TV or cable is very worthwhile. With a large selection of channels you can really seek out the best programs for your child.

When considering the "appropriateness" of children's broadcasts, it is very important to take age into consideration. Other aspects to reflect on are subject, style, depth of information/characters/ideas, variety, and both educational and entertainment value. Try to find shows with minimal advertising, with well-developed characters, and with plots or concepts that are complex and multi-dimensional.

Above all remember that the TV is not a babysitter. Good programming will be an opportunity for you to interact with your children for enriching learning experiences. Current recommendations do advise that you keep the amount of time toddlers spend around the TV within reasonable limits. There will be a certain point past which the most educational program is less important than exercise or direct interaction with you or peers. High Definition heaven might be your ideal way to relax, but it should be only one of many types of activities for your child.

Be creative when picking out shows, and seriously think about what interests your child and how TV can be related to their everyday life. Appropriate programming is not only limited to those shows specifically produced for kids. Watching sports on TV might be a great activity, even though it is not something we think of as classically "educational." If your son or daughter is involved in sports, then seeing those skills at the highest levels on TV might help them with goal-development and with electing acceptable role models. Spending some time on the weekend watching the NFL Sunday Ticket could provide a strong bond for the parents of a Pee Wee football player, perhaps followed by a throwing session out in the backyard.

The main point is to be proactive and discriminating. Creatively choose shows that you have previewed and approved as appropriate for your child in terms of their age, interests, and developmental needs.