Parents' Choice Announces 2008 Television Awards

Science, history and democracy reign in Parents' Choice Awards in Television.

(PRWEB) April 2, 2008 -- In today's world it's difficult - and sometimes unrealistic - to think that most families can get through the day without being in touch with some form of electronic media. When that media is television, Parents' Choice recommends that good media management includes setting limits on the "when," the "where," and the "what" children watch.

"We all agree that watching too much tv can sprout couch potatoes. But watching age appropriate programs, can germinate learning - about friendship, fish or financial ABCs. Manage your child's television viewing with intelligent choices and parental controls. Setting expectations (watch tv after homework), following rules (no tv in the bedroom) and monitoring limitations (time and ratings) are well worth the effort. And this season's Parents' Choice Award winners are well worth watching" said Claire Green, president of Parents' Choice Foundation.

In reviewing the selections for the 2008 Parents' Choice Awards in Children's and Family Television, the awards committees adhere to the general criteria established in 1978: excellent production values, universal human values, appeal to children, age appropriateness. The Parents' Choice Awards committees look for products that entertain and teach with flair, stimulate imagination and inspire creativity. Judges are interested in how a product helps a child grow in many ways: socially, intellectually, emotionally, ethically, and physically. Products must be free of racial or gender bias. Above all, products must not extol violence.

Additionally, the Parents' Choice Television Awards committee cited the following as significant in determining the shows slated for top honors:

• Programs that present facts clearly and succinctly so that viewers are able to form opinions: Supreme Court (WNET), Nick News with Linda Ellerbee(Nickelodeon)

• Programs that take viewers to places not easily or readily accessible: Planet Earth (Discovery), Stories from the Vaults (Smithsonian Networks)

• Programs that put a new perspective on things: Nature Tech (Smithsonian Networks)

• Programs that teach with civility, not chaos: Peep and the Big Wide World (Discovery Kids)

Word World (PBS Kids), Zula Patrol (PBS)

The full roster of Parents' Choice Award winners can be found online: http://parentschoice.org

Click here (http://parentschoice.org/article.cfm?art_id=255&the_page=consider_this) to read the Parents' Choice Media Management Tips

About Parents Choice:

Established in 1978, Parents' Choice is the nation's oldest nonprofit guide to quality children's media and toys. Parents' Choice Foundation's panels of educators, scientists, performing artists, librarians, parents and kids identify the best products for children of different ages and backgrounds, and of varied skill and interest levels. The Foundation's purpose is to search out and recommend products that help kids grow -- imaginatively, physically, morally and mentally - fairly priced products that are fun, safe and socially sound.

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