Watching TV....is it so bad?

Heather - posted on 02/21/2009

Some shows are better than others. Dora teaches not only Spanish, but also easy 3-step things. I use the 3-step thing all the time with the kids. First dinner, then bath, then bed. WonderPets has helped me get toys cleaned up, *what's gonna work? Teamwork!*, and I love the Backyardigans for the imaginative play.

I let my kids watch tv, I even watch it with them, but I have noticed that my 6-year-old is getting obsessive. As soon as he gets out of school, (we aren't even home yet) he asks for cartoons. Whenever we are home, he wants to be in front of the tv, and he spaces out. Can't see or hear ANYTHING else. That's when it's time for intervention. And when my foot goes down, it stays down.  Tantrums and attitude gets no tv for the rest of the day.

I have noticed it is much worse in the winter, when it is too cold to go outside. In the summer, we play in the yard, or at the park, all day long.

Like everyone says, moderation is key. Good luck with it.

Dana - posted on 02/21/2009

My best friend's dr explained to her that shows with a lot of scenery changes and background changes (ie: a lot of children's movies and cartoons) entertain their minds so greatly that when the tv is turned off, they often become unsatisfied and bored with their real worlds because there is significantly less action. Then they grow harder to entertain b/c nothing is as stimulating or as visually interesting as tv...making them distracted and constantly seeking movement to entertain their brains. This can interrupt their learning when they are expected to sit in classrooms at some point and focus on calm tasks. I can see some truth in it for sure. That being said, my plan is to keep it to just the educational shows that are specifically designed for their development (like Sesame Street) and keep the other stuff (movies and cartoons) to a minimum.

Ashley - posted on 02/20/2009

I don't think it is too bad myself. I let my son watch tv. Generally he watches the opening song, and then it's off to play. but as soon as a new show starts he's back :) I just leave it on pbs or treehouse until his nap. After that I watch my own tv while I do other activities, (maybe that is where my son gets it lol) and then it's tv time off till Daddy get home. I will admit though sometimes (and more often now that he is older) I use tv to get the dishes done. I know bad of me but I need something for distraction!

Rachel - posted on 02/20/2009

We keep Blue's Clues on or Gullah Gullah Island. If only to get a couple minutes of getting some housework done. If the TV isn't going, music is. Something to distract them, long enough to get a load of wash going or dishes w/o my little Ninja scaling the gate or little Princess crying on the other side ;)

Dawn - posted on 02/20/2009

it's fine for a little while...my tv is on all morning but my daughter will only watch certain shows. most of the time she's not even looking at it. but she is listening. it's funny because she will tell me something what happened on a show that i didn't think she was watching! she has learned a lot from watching shows on PBS and Noggin. however this should not be a substitute for teaching then yourself:) what i like to do is discuss what she watched at the end of the day with her. she's almost 4 so i know your 1 year old can't do this yet. but while he's watching you could encourage him to follow along and do what they're telling him to do.

Emily - posted on 02/19/2009

I agree with the moderation. My 17 month old daughter likes the wiggles and little einstiens, I let her watch those 2 shows and the tv is off untill Daddy gets home from work. Then she gets to watch maybe an hour and a half before it's time to get ready for bed. She really likes the Dog Whisperer an d we have no idea why. She puts her hand on the tv and says "cesar" it's kind of cute.

Kristie - posted on 02/19/2009

I agree with everyone else, it just needs to be in moderation and age appropriate. I found that my son in particular learned the best way from repetition and I found that a lot in children's videos. He learned to read and count from some of those movies!

Sarah - posted on 02/19/2009

Watching the TV isn't so bad...it's when we rely on the TV to keep our children entertained. Using the TV as a babysitter is what we should try to avoid.

Wendy - posted on 02/19/2009

Quoting Hillarie:

I dont see the harm in letting them watch tv. Odds are good that 90% of the time they arent even paying attention to it anyway.
Mine sure dont. They sit for 5 mins then are off running again and only come back every so often but heaven forbid I change the channel...they wig out! LOL

haha.....sounds like my kids.

Hillarie - posted on 02/19/2009

I dont see the harm in letting them watch tv. Odds are good that 90% of the time they arent even paying attention to it anyway.

Mine sure dont. They sit for 5 mins then are off running again and only come back every so often but heaven forbid I change the channel...they wig out! LOL

Wendy - posted on 02/19/2009

I think in moderation, it is fine. My kids have learnt alot from tv. As long as you have on kids shows, what is the harm.

Heather - posted on 02/19/2009

I don't think that all TV is bad. Probably just limit the amount of time that he watches it. Mine likes to watch the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney Channel. He doesn't even stay there for the whole time. So, I don't think that it's a bad thing for them. They are just really curious and fascinated by it.