Turn Off the TV During Dinner!
How many of us have a TV in the kitchen or a TV that can be seen from the kitchen. I know we do and often times it is on while we are eating our family dinner each night. Research shows that children that eat together with their families are less likely to drink, smoke, do drugs, have bad grades, and have eating disorders. But it is not just the act of eating dinner itself that gives the benefits. A study done with researhers from Harvard explains that it is the quality of conversation at mealtime that can contribute to the positive results. While at dinner the children should be exposed to complex conversations rich with explanations and storytelling. For instance, if a new word is used during your discussions, you should stop and explain the meanings.
Eating dinner in a limited verbal environment will not have the same benefit. So if you are eating dinner each night with the family..but the TV is on.. turn it off and start talking to the kids.
For more on this topic, check out this segment from NPR on The Family Dinner Deconstructed.
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