The major purpose of this discussion is to help you think about the impact of screen time on children and to give you an opportunity to clarify your own valued and beliefs about how television watching effects children. You will read at least one article about the impact of television on children, and then you will view a show or video targeted at the preschool aged child and tell us about it.

By successfully completing this discussion activity, you will demonstrate Module Outcome 2: Identify the similarities and differences between Vygotsky's approach and Piaget's approach, Module Outcome 3: Explain the effects of television on preschoolers, and Module Outcome 5: Discuss how aggression develops in preschool children.

For full credit, please complete both parts of this discussion by replying to both parts.

Part 1: Read at least ONE of the following journal articles about television viewing in preschoolers:

• Children's hyperactivity, television viewing, and the potential for child effects.
• The relation between television exposure and executive function among preschoolers.
• Maternal Beliefs and Parenting Practices Regarding Their Preschool Child's Television Viewing.

Next, answer the following questions:

• Which article did you read, and what is the most important thing you learned from reading the article?
• Based on what you have read about development, briefly explain your thoughts about how aggression develops in preschool children.
• Explain how Vygotsky and Piaget would respond to both your article and your thoughts about children and aggression? How are they the same or different? Give an example to support your answer.

Part 2: Watch at least one television show or video clip intended for the preschool child. Give the title or a brief description of the television program or scene and then answer the following questions.

1. Is the television program designed specifically for young children? How do you know? Did it intentionally aim at providing an educational message? If so, what was the intended message? If not, what do you think a preschooler would have learned from viewing the show?

2. Identify several stimuli (e.g., characters, acoustics, colors, themes) that you think a preschooler would most readily attend to, and explain why. What image or message would they have learned from these salient features of the show?

3. How many aggressive or violent acts are in the show? Briefly describe one. Try and explain this scene through the eyes of a preschooler (e.g., what might he or she be thinking or concluding). What role could this play in the development of aggression in a child?

4. How many prosocial or humorous acts are in the show? Briefly describe one. Try and explain this scene through the eyes of a preschooler (e.g., what might he or she be thinking or concluding).

5. Are references made to both males and females? How is each portrayed? Were there any role or cultural stereotypes? Was there any comment, scene, or action that might send a message about social norms or expectations (e.g., discipline, materialism, relationships)?

6. Would you let your own preschool child view this television show? Explain why or why not. Please give a personal example as you support your decision.