Want to be a better reader? Turn off the television! A recent study found that kids younger than 6 spend about two hours a day watching TV, playing video games, or using computers. That’s about the same amount of time they spend playing outside. It’s three times the amount of time they spend with a book!

The study included more than 1,000 parents of kids between the ages of 6 months and 6 years. It was released Tuesday.

Does TV Hurt Kids’ Reading Skills?
Spending a lot of time on the computer, watching TV, or playing video games can make it hard to get better at reading. Kids who live in homes where the TV is on "most of the time," are less likely to be able to read by age 6.

The study found that 34 percent of 4-to 6-year-olds from TV-heavy homes can read. On the other hand, 56 percent of kids from homes where less TV is watched can read.

Reading is still popular, though. Almost 80 percent of kids under 6 read or are read to. In fact, researchers say kids spend an average of 49 minutes a day with a book. The average amount of time spent in front of the TV or computer? About 2 hours and 22 minutes!

The Great TV Debate
 

Victoria Rideout, a researcher for the study, said kids who watch TV, use computers, and play video games will have an advantage. She says media can help their learning. But there are disadvantages , too.

Dr. Henry Shapiro studies kids’ development and behavior. He says reading, playing with toys, and playing and talking with others is much better for kids’ learning than watching TV.

He also says there is a good side to TV, computers, and video games. "Kids are home, safe, they are learning things."