Thoughts of a tv in a toddler's room?

Christina Yvonne - posted on 07/10/2012

Sorry, but I agree with your mother. It does give her a sense of entitlement as a 2-year old. She will grow up thinking that she can have a lot of other things that may not be age-appropriate for her as well.

Christina Francois
(mother of 2)

Christina Yvonne - posted on 07/10/2012

Sorry, but I agree with your mother. It does give her a sense of entitlement as a 2-year old. She will grow up thinking that she can have a lot of other things that may not be age-appropriate for her as well.

Christina Francois
(mother of 2)

Cleaver - posted on 07/08/2012

i dont have one in his room but he doesnt play in there at all but a have a tv/vhs combo (vhs' are so much more durable for toddlers) and a few toys in my room mostly for when his father is watching him he can still work a bit and keep know where he is.

Alexis - posted on 07/08/2012

We are very picky about how much and what my son watches as well. However we do not do a tv in his room. We dont even have a tv in our room. Mostly because of the idea that the room is for sleeping or being calm. This is suppose to help with sleeping since its related to sleep. This includes adults. (if that makes sense) We also usually sit together to watch a show, even if its a re-run of Dora in the living room anyways, then its play with toys, outside or bye bye time if we are going to the park or swimming.

On a side note though. We do have a small dvd\tv player but we keep it in the dining room. We use this when we are wanting to watch something other than a show for my son. Usually when we have more than one kid in the house and more than just us adult wise.

Jacqueline - posted on 07/08/2012

I really dont think that there is anything wrong with it. Now if you would have asked me that when I had only one child, I would have more than likely said no way. But having 5 children, I would go insane without the help of a television. Jacqueline

Sophie - posted on 07/02/2012

Absolutely not! I am sorry, I know how much easier it would be if i just left my ds to watch tv all day because id never have to do anything again, but that doesn't mean i am going to!! toddlers need interaction with REAL people and no television program can replace that. if you put it in their room, no matter how many limits you set, they will be ignored and even if you try correcting them, when you leave it in their room you will not be able to have COMPLETE control over their television watching. television should be a once in a while treat for them and they should in no way be allowed to control it themselves.

Anna - posted on 07/02/2012

I'm personally against TV for toddlers in general. I don't believe it adds any value. But everyone has a different opinion on the topic and there are different studies pro and con so it's really up to you to decide what's right or wrong for your toddler. One thing I'm really against though is letting toddlers watch TV before bedtime.

Katie - posted on 06/30/2012

I am a speech language pathologist with a Masters degree, 17 years experience and 5 kids of my own, including a toddler. Please please please do NOT put a tv in your toddlers room...that is unless you want decreased play skills, decreased real language skills including social, and decreased attention skills. Childhood happens ONE TIME. I will repeat that. ONE TIME. Don't spend any of it having your toddler spend it on the other side of a screen.

Stephanie - posted on 06/30/2012

My daughter is almost 4. she has a little portable TV in her room. She is only allowed to watch a program of her choice (ie little einsteins or dora the explorer) for half an hour before her bedtime. She sits with a cup of juice & a few dry cereals. She loves it & it makes her feel grown up. Oviously she knows mommy & daddy set the limits on it. We rarely watch any tv in the day because we spend time making & doing things or were out & about. Her favourite at the minute is mary poppins... she recites all the songs! (she is very bright for her age). I dont think all Tv should be restricted, i know its a personal choice, but my daughters only watch educational programmes & there are lots of educational kids programmes out there... My youngest daughter has just gone 2. She doesnt have a TV in her room, i do believe she is too young, but she is allowed to watch tv with her sister. each to their own i say! everyone & every situation is different!

Megan - posted on 06/28/2012

My son will be turning 3 next month, he doesnt have a tv in his room and although I did think about it we have decided against it. He doesnt watch all that much tv mostly just cartoons on disney jr. For awhile I thought it would be nice for him to have his own tv to watch his cartoons in the morning but decided that I would miss our time together. I watch cartoons with him every morning and teach him new things everyday its a good bonding time for us.

Sherry - posted on 06/28/2012

our 4 year old has a tv with a dvd player and no cable in his room. He loves to have movies playing in the background whe he plays with his toys. He does the same with the ipad -- makes a train seet up then finds train sound effects n the ipad to use while he plays. I have no problem with it, Some nights he can watch part of a movie other nights not, For a night hawk type of child it helps him quieten down and get ready for sleep. he does read books plays educational computer games but some nights a cuddle up with part of a fav movie as a treat helps him drift off. Also he wakes up in the night afriad of the dark even though he has a night light -- the light of a tv seems to helps settle him

Truepulse - posted on 12/14/2011

No tv in the bedroom, but in the living room... they are allowed to watch for two hours dora and diego... everyday... thats no more time than that, then they have play time in the room, colouring blocks,legos, or play time at the playground everyevening for about 1 hour... then bath time and go to bed... Hope it helps.

Jennifer - posted on 12/12/2011

My daugther, who will be 3 in March, has a TV in her room. Her favorite movie is Monsters Inc. She watches it over and over and over again. When we get home from school I turn it on for her and give her a snack and she will play in her room with her toys until dinner time. It keeps her occupied so that I am able to get things done around the house. I am pregnant with baby number two so the TV has been a life saver because I don't have much energy for anything right now.

Jaimi - posted on 12/10/2011

my daughter is three and she watches tv in the mornig and at night to go to bed. there isnt anythig wronng with it and at that age its easy to distract them, so if you think they are watching too much tv just ask them if they want to go to the park or play with a friend

Dolce - posted on 12/10/2011

We have a no tv in the bedroom rule in our house. They are create division in families. We also have a portable DVD player but it has to watched in view.

Think about the problem you are creating the child will one day be a teenager who will be watching shows that you won't always be able to monitor what they see if the only option is a tv in a family area this is a problem you will then Eliminate for yourself.

Dolce - posted on 12/10/2011

We have a no tv in the bedroom rule in our house. They are create division in families. We also have a portable DVD player but it has to watched in view & we have taught our child about time to turn it off so it doesn't replace playtime.



Think about the problem you are creating for yourself the child will one day be a teenager who will be watching shows that you won't always be able to monitor what they see if the only option is a tv in a family area this is a problem you will then Eliminate for yourself in the future

JuQuana - posted on 12/07/2011

Hi there, my little brother has been watching NickJr. since he was an infant. He is now 3 yrs old. He is very well spoken, over educated if you ask me, he is very advanced for his age. That channel alone is like preschool at home. This channel alone is excellent. My daughter is now 14 months & she's following his foot steps. My brother is already reading & writing. So if you ask me, these are positive expriences with the tv. When children get bored of sitting in front the tv, they know how to come find mommy. So let her watch tv & get NickJr for your daughter. Remember its preschool on tv. Even the commercials teach them how to read, social skills, counting & searching. My child is hyper & energized as well.

Claressa - posted on 12/05/2011

My chid has a tv and dvd in her room but its programed for only childrens shows. The dvd's I buy are only educational and age appropiate. Like other moms have said the tv helps my little one fall asleep at night, I let the news play and in minutes shes sound of sleep. We learn through experience so do what works best for you.

Amber - posted on 12/03/2011

My daughter (3) has a tv in her room, and the only time she uses it is she watches one cartoon to fall asleep to at night, she is very active and has a hard time settling down and i have found it very helpful for getting to sleep. You need to do whats best for you in your situation.

Vasanthi - posted on 12/03/2011

rightly said!

Sophie-Maire - posted on 12/01/2011

my son is 2yrs 3months and he has a tv in his room he is a very hyper child and the tv helps him settle down at bed time, i think it is fine as we turn it off at a certain time and he gets into bed with me in a morning and watch cartoons with me before work and nursery, i think you have to go off what is right for you and your child, i no a few people that would never put a tv in a childs room and others that would x

Sarah - posted on 12/01/2011

I have a t.v. in my son (s) soom. Ones three and ones 8. They watch it in the morning and at night. It helps them sleep better. My whole family does it. W hat I dop is 30 min. before sleep time put it on let them watch it. Then put on a boring show news works good. I can do that bnecause it is always on a t.v. station. and keep that on all night. My kids are certainly not couch potatos. :) LOL. They play outside. Swim when it's not cold. I have a playground in the back. They play on that and jump on the tramp. . They can play in the garage until my husbabnd home. paint, Do sutff on their dry erase boards etc. I also do this with my daugter that is 5 and when my youngest daughter turns an app. age I will do it with her.

Hope this helps:)..

Ashley - posted on 11/30/2011

i've thought about putting a tv in my daughters room, so she could watch her shows and i could watch mine without a fight...But lately i have been letting her sleep in bed with me, as daddies away working and she misses him terribly..i have a tv in my room and if its not on when she goes to bed..she takes in upon herself and turns it on, she then watches it until i come to bed...not very positive for her sleeping habits (which are already out of whack). But each child is different. I know my nephew had a tv in his room and my brother and his wife would put on a movie for him to fall asleep and he did just that, fall alseep before the movie was half over...Parents discretion is my opinion

Jessica - posted on 11/29/2011

I think as long as you are not letting them watch it all the time and watching age appropriate it is fine. I put a TV/DVD player in my son’s room to help him get to sleep at night. Yes a radio or cd player will do the same but I know he can still learn something though the TV as well at night. Everyone has their own opinion about your choice and others choices when doing things for the children as long as it s not inappropriate and not harming them in any way it is fine and your choice. In the end you know your child and have their best interest at heart. If you are worry about the child turning the TV on and staying up watching it then I would say mount the TV where they cannot reach the buttons and keep the controller out of reach. That is what we did with my son it works and he does not lose sleep and is still on a bet time and a good schedule like we have had him on for a long time now.

Kim - posted on 11/28/2011

Like I've posted before, it depends on your child. My son needs to noise, the only time he sits in front of the tv is when he is going to bed and even then after 5 minutes he is asleep. He learns a lot by listening to his educational movies. There was a movie he never watched but listened to and we were driving and he looks out the window and tells me how the moon was a Cresent moon at the time (which it was!) and continued to tell me about the different stages of the moon. And he's THREE! TV's are only a bad thing, if you let them be a bad thing, be a good parent and set limits. My son also still prefers to watch movies as a family so I do not believe that it makes them not want to spend time with the family.

Olivia - posted on 11/28/2011

also would like to say for the people that keep talking about kids not wanting to have "family" time because of the tv in there room, my son still would much rather be in the living room than in his room watching tv. Heck he doesnt even like staying in his room to play. So it all just depends on your child. So if you want to try a tv in your childs room i would try it now when she is young enought to still remove it and the excuse "it broke" still work. lol

Olivia - posted on 11/28/2011

My 3 years old son has a tv and dvd player in his room. it does not have and antena or satelite connected to it so i control everything he watches. i have a cd case with all of HIS (child appropriate) dvds in it. he likes to watch mickey mouse, word world and several other "learning shows" when im trying to watch the news. So this helps. we both get to watch what we want to watch. And it also helps when he wakes up in the middle of the night and just needs some noise to make him feel safe. Like last night he woke me up at 2 a.m. scared and after i calmed him down he begged to watch a movie so i turned it on the lowest volume and put him back in bed. he was back asleep with in 5 minutes. and slept the rest of the night.

Sarah - posted on 11/28/2011

Hi my son is 3 he has a tv dvd but only uses it at bed time he never settled very well without back ground noise we tried the radio but it didn't work for him so we put the tv in with his favourite dvds we turn it on at night and he's asleep within 1/2 hour we then turn it off and put his radio on for him its helped a lot and I don't regret putting it in there for him

Melissa - posted on 11/27/2011

we had a tv/dvd in our childs room but took it out when we moved,what a mistake! we've been here for 9 months and every night for 9 months we've had 4 ppl in our beds cos they just wont settle (we've literally tried everything) so they've got a new one for xmas and it wont come out. but tbh from birth my children hvnt slept unless a radio/tv was on. oh and my kids share a room atm and daughter will be 3 in jan and son is 1 1/. i dont think its the crtoon its the sound, just radio dnt work any more

Danielle - posted on 11/26/2011

I'm not sure where I stand on this because at the moment I have found myself contemplating giving my 21/2 yr old son a TV of his own because he has suddenly become almost obsessed with watching this one seseme street musical dvd and being a stay at home mom I am becoming worn out with the struggle of telling him no and I am sick of hearing it being played like 4 times a day !! I think if we gave him his own tv though it would not be in his room, -think that in the end it would become more of an issue..

Eron - posted on 11/26/2011

DONT DO IT!!! when our children are babies, we do nite feeds etc but over the weeks we develop a sleep pattern/routine, as they get older they are more able to pay attention to the tv (that used to be background noise) and when they start to pay attention it stimulates the mind and the perfect sleep routine is broken, i have 4 children, my eldest is 13 and i seriously regret letting him have a tv in his room, it changed bedtimes forever lol x

Corinne - posted on 11/24/2011

Teresa, that made me laugh. My husbands friend has a T.V in every room, and I mean every room, kitchen and bathroom included. Yeah, their kid is always glued to it. Gah!

Teresa - posted on 11/23/2011

This isn't exactly about the topic at hand, but a 'survey' was done in my twins 5th grade class and they are 2 out of the ONLY 3 kids in the 5th grade that only have 1 tv in the house. One family has TEN tvs.... and only 3 bedrooms. I just found that so odd and disturbing.

Jenn - posted on 11/23/2011

We do not allow any television in the kids rooms and that goes for game systems as well. There's no need for them. If they are to watch a morning cartoon or a nightly dvd or show, they do it with the rest of the family. We see it as a time to sit and laugh at a good movie or cartoon together and use it as family time. Bedrooms are for sleeping, not for TV. A tv used at night before bed stimulates a child's brain so it's always best to watch their last show about an hour before bed so you have time to calm them down with a nightly routine and a good book before bed. The best thing for in a child's room if they need to hear some noise is a radio put on low volume to a lullaby or very soft music.

Nicole - posted on 11/23/2011

A tv in a toddlers room isn't a bad thing, it just depends on the type of parent you are. My childrens tv is up on the wall, that way they can't touch it, color on it, break it, push it over or anything. There are alot of good learning shows on for toddlers. You can do a scavanger hunt with her if your watching a channel with commercials.You can also child proof her tv if you have cable just block any channel that isnt child friendly.

Corinne - posted on 11/20/2011

I wouldn't have a T.V in my kids rooms either, there's one in the sitting room and one in the play room. The one in the playroom isn't hooked up to T.V either, it's for watching DVD's or playing on their v-tech games system which we do as a family anyway. But , at the end of the day, it's whatever works for you and yours and it's not for your 'outer' family members to pass comment on.

Tamyra - posted on 11/18/2011

I put a TV in my daughter's room 13 years ago and I regret it to this day. It caused her to want it on to go to sleep and now that she is a 15 year old. She would rather watch TV in her room than watch with her family. I believe you should do what fits your home, but I do regret it in mine. Good Luck.

Richelle - posted on 11/18/2011

There is NO WAY I would put a TV in a toddler's room. I am not even in favor of putting one in a teen's room. Bad habits start early -- too much stimulation, distraction, etc. Bedrooms are for sleeping in my opinion. Entertainment and socialization with your family takes place in the family room.

Katie - posted on 11/18/2011

Carolyn, It's a good thing to get a child used to noise at night. Helps block out other noises of the night, storms, ect. Or if your like me, I have lived on a military base for years. We get a lot of extra noise such as military weapons, jets and other military vehicles. Depending on where you live, noise is a good thing to have your child used to while sleeping. And also, btw, my childs TV volume never goes over 10. If I can hear it and my bedroom is right across the hall with both doors open it's too loud.

Kim - posted on 11/17/2011

My son will be 4 at the end of the month and he's had a tv in his room for awhile. He only wants to watch it late at night and he only watches about 10 minutes of it because it literally puts him to sleep. He needs the lights and sound to fall asleep. Every kid is different, do what is best for YOUR child :)

Michelle - posted on 11/16/2011

I have a 2 and 4 yr old in the house and there is tvs in every room. I put it on for so long at bed time to get them to settle down..same with nap times,,i just have rules concerning when and what they watch. People dont think tv is good for children but they are both counting to 10 in spanish from watching Dora and learning stuff i didnt even know they knew..so im all for it as long as theres rules.

Angel - posted on 11/15/2011

Nope....never have, never will....until maybe they are teenagers.....i have two daughters, 6 and 3. The world is too busy with all the electronics everywhere....the bedroom (they share a room) should be a peaceful and fun place to play and relax and read and sleep. That's it.

Carolyn - posted on 11/13/2011

Also, having the tv on while your daughter falls asleep is training her mind to need noise. I find that a little discouraging. Many adults in our society have that need but why pass that onto kids? It doesn't need to be pins and needles quiet, but why provide a false stream of sound that may inhibit dreams or create false ones?

Carolyn - posted on 11/13/2011

I respect your decision, but will not allow a tv in my daughter's room... I think it encourages children to spend time in their room "zoned out"... my girl is 5, and we have 1 tv in the house. It's turned onto the news in the morning while we get ready. In the evening, I will occasionally turn on one of her shows while I make dinner, but a lot of the time, she prefers to be in the kitchen with me anyway. I don't think there is any reason to put a tv in her room. (A) I don't want her watching more tv, (B) as educational as the shows are, they're not comparable to family time, and (C) I don't want her becoming accustomed to being more comfortable in her room than she is at the family dining table. Not to say I didn't get my fair share of Dora, too (light at the end of the tunnel: they DO outgrow Dora!), but I don't want her holed up in her room. Every family's different, though, so follow your instincts.

Aniesha - posted on 11/13/2011

Our son has a tv & dvd player in his room, he'll be 3 next month. He doesn't watch it all the time, & is extremely active, but atm I'm 7 mths pregnant & can't keep up with running around after him, so when Daddy is at work, sometimes tv is just the easiest option, and it's nice for him to have his space, so then I can actually watch something that I want to watch on tv too!

Kimberly - posted on 11/13/2011

I had a tv in my room when I was a kid but I had to work for it for two years, it was great for when my brother wanted to watch sports and I wanted to watch something else but i wasnt allowed to just stay in my room. I doubt I'll be putting a tv in my daughters room before she is a teen and I also dont keep toys in her room. Her room is for sleeping and relaxing. My daughter watches her shows in the main living room so I can control what channel is on and what and how much she watches. I'm not against tv's but I would wait til she older

Summer - posted on 11/13/2011

i dont use the tv as a "teacher" or a "Babysitter" my daughter for the most part doesnt realize its even on... but there are some shows she DOES like to watch, and I think it would be nice when shes in her room playing to have some sounds too...

Theresa - posted on 11/12/2011

i dont see a problem...as long as you are not using the TV to educate your child. my daughter has a TV in her room. a lot of times she doesnt even notice it is on. the TV is mouted high on the wall so she has no access to it..also, no remote (as it is put up). i monitor what is on and how much time she has to watch by setting the sleep timer to go off at a certain time.

Summer - posted on 11/12/2011

my daughter is 2 1/2 and she is a fully active kid, and hubby and I are thinking of getting her a tv for christmas.... simply becaue if I have to watch Nick Jr anymore Im going to kill myself.... and we co-sleep, and Im going to start moving her to her own room, and i know that if she has a tv in her room ( set tot eh aquarium setting on finding nemo or something simular she will be more inclined to stay in her own room.... with the shows on PBS and on Nick Jr my daughter has learned SOOOO much colors numbers patterns you name it ( YES i do teach her them myself, but having them on tv helps reinfoce it inn a FUN way" shre also dances and plays and acts out the tv shows she watches.... like on To Gabba Gabba the "wiggle wiggle hold still " game they play... and so on, by daugthers smarts blows my mind. at her last Check up they did her PDQ ( mental develpment test) and she was 2 functioning at a FOUR yes 4 year old status !!!! I have ZERO concern of her becoming a couch potato or becoming "Entitled" we are active all day and play and run and go tot he park and on family hikes and so on.... my plan is simply to help with the transistion to her own room ( we tried it when we first moved in to the house we live in now ( 8 mos ago) and it was an epic fail..... so Im thinking this might be a good thing for our family....

Darci - posted on 11/12/2011

We are having a problem with our 3 1/2 year old and her tv. She will stay up for hours and hours with the tv in her room. She can reach the button to turn it on and she has plugged it back in a few times when we've unplugged it!! I think it was a huge misake for us!! Hopefully it works better for you!!