Turning off the television is not the answer for parents seeking to teach their children to be less violent and more understanding of others. Rather, mothers and fathers need to change the channel, according to experts.

A new study out of the Seattle Children's Research Institute says changing the television channel from violent shows to educational ones can modify behavior in the short-run for preschool kids.

“It’s not just about turning off the television. It’s about changing the channel. What children watch is as important as how much they watch,” Dr. Dimitri Christakis, a pediatrician and researcher at the institute and the study’s lead author, told the Associated Press.

During the study, parents were provided with viewing guides that advised them on how to get their 3-to-5-year-old children to watch shows like “Sesame Street” instead more violent programs like “Power Rangers.” The researchers checked in on progress after six months and after a full year, comparing results with a control group in which parents were only given suggestions for improving their kids’ diets.

Donna Gordon Blankinship of the AP reported: “The results were modest and faded over time, but may hold promise for finding ways to help young children avoid aggressive, violent behavior.”

It also was reported that the study was flawed, due to the researchers not telling the parents the purpose of the study, resulting in them coming to their own conclusions that might have affected the results.

A total of 565 parents participated in the study, each assigned to keep diaries and answer questionnaires supplied by the institute.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

Study: Better TV Might Improve Kids’ Behavior (by Donna Gordon Blankinship, Associated Press)

Certain Television Fare Can Help Ease Aggression in Young Children, Study Finds (by Catherine Saint Louis, New York Times)

Does Childhood TV Viewing Lead to Criminal Behavior? (by Monte Morin, Los Angeles Times)

Typical American Infant Exposed to 5½ Hours of Background TV a Day (by Noel Brinkerhoff and David Wallechinsky, AllGov)

TV Depictions of Violence against Women Skyrocket (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)