[Aevery_Freeman]

I, too, believe that not getting a chance to play is a large contributor. Schools now lack the discipline necessary to force exercise.

I would, however, like to do an experiment in which small children are not allowed to have a TV used as a babysitter.

Rapid fire input like that becomes the norm and a need to focus for an extended period for a mental reward such as learning becomes very difficult (my hypothesis).

[momtothree]

There is a doctor from Hopkins (I can’t remember his name right now) who has written books detailing his feelings that television is a major contributor now over television in the past. I am paraphrasing this but he has done research with respect to color and how FAST the images flash with cartoons etc.. now vs the old cartoons (like the road runner etc.. the ones we grew up with). His premise is that it affects the brain of young children and doesn’t believe they should watch it at all OR very limited and their viewing is limited as well. (I’ll find the name and send it to you!)