T.v?

Jamie - posted on 02/18/2010

I agree with you! And my thought is, as long as I give him love attention, expose him to what is out my front door. He'll survive! He has the rest of his life to get distracted by t.v. why not let him enjoy this age by exploring toys! Tv at this age is nothing but something to keep him entertained, My son can entertain himself in other ways..... we have the tv on occasionally when we wind down at night or we are recording a movie, and my son could care less! And he continues to interact with us, or playon his own! I like it that way. No reason to make him a zombie! (my son is almost 1, 1 week to go!) Your doing great! Good job and keep it up!!

Erica - posted on 02/18/2010

My son really only watched Sesame Street and it's for very short periods of time. If I happen to see if there's anythin' on tv for him, there usually isn't anythin' educational on. :S

Anna - posted on 02/17/2010

We don't watch tv at all. My kids play some video games sometimes, but the baby is uninterested. He mostly plays and explores.

Emma - posted on 02/17/2010

cbeebies is brilliant, the programmes are about 15 minutes and they seem annoying and boring to us, but my little boy has learnt so much through them. he only watches twice a day, 1 programme before each sleep and very rarely begs for TV. I used to thin it was terrible, but it's not.

Sherri - posted on 02/17/2010

it is completely up to you, they are your children.. there are no proven studies about young children and negative effects of tv.. use your judgement when it comes to programs.. my 4 year old watched tv when he was little.. when he was a baby he loved the back ground noise, and the music, before he was one he loved dora and diego was counting to 10 in spanish.. no joke

my 11 month old loves listening to the music and dancing.. and the music and bright colors stimulate their brains.. there are many very age appropriate and family fun shows, watch them with your child, learn the music to sing to him..

they are your children.. do what you please.. but moderation is key.. and it is not as horrible as you think. good luck

Jacqueline - posted on 02/17/2010

I have been told the same thing as I don't let my 11 month old watch tv either. I believe it's a personal decision. However, AAP says NO TV until 2 and after 2 only 30-60 min. of educational program. Once my daughter gets bigger I plan to let her watch things like Sesame Street but at this age, I don't see the point. I feel she should spend her time playing with puzzles and blocks, not staring at a tv set. Everyone has to make their own decision but just because it's the "norm" doesn't mean you should let others change your mind by making you feel guilty! The unfortunate truth is that many parents use tv as a babysitter rather than interacting with and teaching them.

Christy - posted on 02/17/2010

Ofcourse we'd all like to spend every waking moment with our children reading and interacting, but lets be real here. Who doesn't prefer that? I have no problem with my son and daughter watching age-appropriate shows occasionally. Babie's First TV channel is very educational and even suggests things parents can do along with their kids while watching. With that being said, I do have a problem with kids watching hours upon hours of television, snacking mindlessly while in a zombie-like state. TV programming can be very educational. It is not a substitute for human interaction, but lets face it. I'd go nuts with another human in my face during all waking hours. I'd need a break too. Just like everything else in life, everything in moderation.

Carina - posted on 02/17/2010

I am really taken aback by the assumptions about TV. I personally think that every person/parent/child/family is different and just because one family allows TV time and another doesn't doesn't mean one family is lazier/less capable/worse than the other.

I agree that technology is a fabulous learning tool and incredible resource and that does include TV. There are just as many parents who allow their children hours of computer time when that has it's bad points too.

Watching TV is not the bad thing as much as the amount of time allowed and the programming. Watching 3 hours of anime shows versus an hour of Dora, Sesame Street or Yo Gabba Gabba is a huge difference. Kids need their downtime just like we need ours and having them do something else scholastically isn't always allowing them downtime. Every child is different and every family is different.

Hey...I watched PBS as a kid but also watched He-Man, Rainbow Brite and Transformers, had 2 parents that always worked and was a latch key kid. I still managed to get 2 Baccalaureate degrees and a Masters all while putting myself through school and living on my own...YEA for TV! :)

Beata - posted on 02/17/2010

I don't like if my 10,5 months old son watches TV, but sometimes it's a must. Actually we don't watch TV but DVDs (educational ones) at special occasions, for example when his nails need to be cut (I can't do it any other way ;)), afterwards I let him watch it for a little longer. I prefer playing, listening to music and reading books, but some TV is OK.

Sheena - posted on 02/17/2010

Cartoons that teach him things are good too. Mickey Mouse Playhouse Disney and Veggie Tales are two of my favorites. How do you like the my baby can read? I was thinking of getting that for my son too.

Helen - posted on 02/17/2010

My 11month old daughter watches the Cbeebies channel every day. She is very fascinated and loves watching the children dancing and signing . I feel that it is very educational for her because it is tailored for her age group. She loves joining in and claps her hands and waves.
New research shows that appropriately designed T.V content can enhance learning skills and encourage interaction with the real world e.g imaginitive play, numeracy, literacy, diversity, cultural awareness.. Obviously you have to get the balance right and limit the amount of time spent. Myself and the rest of the family spend much quality time with her. She is also going to nursery for 3 days a week shortly so will be interacting with children her own age. I dont see how watching a children's channel would have any adverse effects. I disagree about calling parents lazy for letting their child watch T.V.

Chandora - posted on 02/16/2010

My son is going on 11 months I don't allow him to watch T.v myself I have caught his dad from time to time having him watch cartoons, Koen does at all seem interested...As well I feel it is very bad for them, it causes attention problems and actually limits their vocabulary..This is coming from the most resent child development book. As I'm going to school for teaching; so it is very reliable text..They say no t.v before two and minimize t.v watching 2 and older... I hope this has helped :)

Martissa - posted on 02/16/2010

I believe reading books when children aren't playing is far better than having them watch mindless shows on television. I don't think tv is the devil, I watch it on occasion for educational programming.

Ashley - posted on 02/16/2010

technolgy - TV included - has many educational benefits - yes, face-to-face interaction is important, but TV is not the Devil. I have allowed both of my children to watch Disney/Nick Jr./Sprout since very early ages and see nothing wrong with it. They play hard most of the day, a little down time while they watch age appropriate shows is doing them no harm.

Martissa - posted on 02/16/2010

A child can learn the same things from their parents that they can learn on a tv. I'm sure the child will get much more enjoyment out of face to face interactions with their mother/father/caregiver than any tv show could give them.

Ashley - posted on 02/16/2010

I totally disagree Martissa - I am a teacher and I can see the benefits of allowing my children to watch child appropriate TV shows. For example, my 4 yr old daughter has learned so many Spanish words just by watching Dora. To call parents "lazy" because they allow their children to watch TV is totally uncalled for!

Martissa - posted on 02/16/2010

I only let my daughter watch Your Baby Can Read as well. She loves watching and interacting with me and the video. Other than that we don't watch tv at all. I don't think watching tv is part of being a child. I think parents that let their children watch tv are lazy and just looking for a baby sitter. Kids should be learning with their parents or they should be outside playing with siblings or friends.

Jenny - posted on 02/16/2010

I believe the latest recommendations by The American Academy of Pediatrics is to not let our kiddos watch TV until the age of 2. Studies are showing that those first two years of life are critical in developing good communication skills, and when the TV is on, regardless of programming, there is decreased opportunity for children to develop good communication skills. Time did a great article on it (http://www.time.com/time/health/article/...,8599,1902209,00.html)

I'm totally for NO TV until the age of two, but the reality in our house is that sometimes, it just can't be helped and while I try to limit my 11 mo. son's exposure to TV, I'm can't totally stress over it.

Tasha - posted on 02/16/2010

I totally agree both my kids go outta the room if they don't wanna watch tv but with as much snow as we have had this yr it's almost always the news on.

Nikki - posted on 02/16/2010

My son, who'll b 11mo tommorrow watches 2 diff shows(micky mouse club house and agent oso) the morning, while my older two are getting ready for school. I find that he enjoys dancing and singing along with them. But also reeeallly enjoys the weather/news too. But when the show goes off he goes elsewhere. Usually to get one of his books out of his toybox. So I see no problem in him watching a lil tv as long as it's age appropriate.

Laura - posted on 02/16/2010

I let Katelyn watch Sesame Street in the morning but that's about it.

Marabeth - posted on 02/16/2010

i think tv is okay as long as you're there interacting with them too. we watch some of my daughter's favorite shows on nick jr. together and talk about whats going on and shift in and out of one on one play and watching tv together. i don't think tv is the devil so much as being left alone with it to stare zombie-like is.

Jeannie - posted on 02/16/2010

Whenever I even have cartoons on for my 7 year old daughter my son just isn't interested. He might glance up at the colors or if they are singing but overall he could take it or leave it.



Helping Moms Work from Home

www.momwithaplan.com

Beck - posted on 02/16/2010

We dont watch kids tv, I have the news on in the morning but my bub isn't interested in it. We will watch 'playschool' a learning show in Australia occasionally when he is older especially in winter but the half hr or hour a day will be max.

Tasha - posted on 02/15/2010

I let both of my girls watch cartoons. like Nick Jr, sprout, disney, I keep to the age appropriate and have found them to be great teaching tools. My 3 yr old could match, count and do her ABC by the time she was 2. But I would watch with that baby can read kinda thing. If you really want your baby to communicate look into sign language. Sometimes I think we try to take away kids being kids with advancing them to fast.