Are childrens programs effecting your childs behavior?

Jen - posted on 04/26/2009

Quoting Candice:

Are childrens programs effecting your childs behavior?

My son is 4 years and i dont really let him watch a lot of TV but i find that every so often a slang word or phrase i dont think appropriate comes out of his mouth. I feel the only programs "classified" as "clean" are the baby programs that are too immiture for him. Kids today want to watch "cool" programs such as ben 10 and a few others but i find they make him cheeky and aquire an attitude.
Does anybody els have this problem?

Do you get PBS Spout? I know there's a show on there call between the lions that I would deem appropriate for a 4-year-old. It's about reading. My daughter is only 17 months so she doesn't watch much tv. She's just not interested. Every now and then I'll put on Jacks Big Music show, but that probably wouldn't go for a 4-year-old. Try Nick Jr. I know that's what I watched with my neighbors when they were that age and I was babysitting.

Kimberley - posted on 04/26/2009

Hi all, oh I couldn't agree more. My two daughters are 4 and 3 and love Horrid Henry. They are now at the stage where when they sulk they call each other worm. I know thats quite a tame word but they are using it in the wrong context which is not a nice thought. I have now managed to almost avoid Horrid Henry by putting High School Musical on!

Ashley - posted on 04/26/2009

Well, my son is not allowed to watch Spongebob anymore because he started using words like "stupid" and "dumb". NOw we stick to Disney Channel, and only educations shows on NIck Jr. such as Ni-Hao and Dora the Explorer. Its hard, but you just have to try and find a good balance.

Amie - posted on 04/26/2009

Quoting Candice:
. What ever happened to the looney tunes, anamaniacs etc. Now i try to keep him occupied with activities like drawing and building things. but i cant keep him away from the tv the whole day so he still watches a bit. TV is not giving us much of a choice! Our kids today are growing up too fast!

Looney Tunes and anamaniacs? Ok so you have a problem with today's cartoons but not these ones? May I ask why? I'm not being rude I really want to know. I remember watching these cartoons as I grew up. There just as violent as todays but they had a pleasant oh isnt this funny spin to them. Wiley Coyote was one of the worst... ya let's blow up road runner or drop a safe on  him.

My own kids watch cartoons but it doesn't affect their behavior. They know t.v. isn't real and things seen and heard there should never be repeated unless mom and dad say something is ok or safe.

Friends and school have a bigger influence than t.v. does for bad behavior. It's amazing the things my kids come home with but at least they know to ask about things and also know what is appropriate and what isn't for language. I'll never forget the day our 8 yr old had a friend over and that friend said f*ck off to another friend that was here. I was livid. Like really. T.V. is a pretty small concern for us since there are a lot bigger issues to deal with.

As for programs that you might find appropriate for him though.... try Mickey Mouse, My friends Tigger & Pooh, Little Einsteins.  Playhouse Disney actually has quite a few shows that aren't that bad. My own kids love these shows.

Mylene - posted on 04/26/2009

I understand what you mean... I despise all Yugio (however you write it), Pokemon, Digimon type of thing... My SK LOVE them but at least they are older (7 & 9). I still haven't found an alternative to those shows. I'll let you know if I find anything.

Candice - posted on 04/26/2009

Thanks Mylene,

I love big comfy couch and in the night Garden, I just sometimes think that these programs are too immature for him, a 4 year old. Every 4 year old ive come accross wants Ben 10, Spiderman and so on. The only cartoons they have for thier age are these chinese edited violent cartoons with boys and super powers. What ever happened to the looney tunes, anamaniacs etc. Now i try to keep him occupied with activities like drawing and building things. but i cant keep him away from the tv the whole day so he still watches a bit. TV is not giving us much of a choice! Our kids today are growing up too fast!

Candice - posted on 04/26/2009

Quoting Sarah:

my daughter is only 5 months so i havent had this problem yet with her but i work in a child care and I HATE when all my 1 year olds can spot a picture of spongebob from a mile away!!! you're right, there are not any truly appropriate kids shows on TV. we have preschoolers OBSESSED with hannah montana and high school musical and it just drives me nuts!

Thanks Sarah,

Well im a stay at home mom at the moment but before( a couple of months ago) i was also in child care and its evident that not many parents take TV  in thier kids lives very seriously! My biggest issue was wresteling, in sooo many cases kids re-inact what they have seen and end up getting hurt. It is not our responsibilities as teachers to teach children things that are not being backed by thier parents. It makes our lives harder. PS. I hate hannah montana & High School Musical too! My step daughter drives me up the wall with it!

Mylene - posted on 04/25/2009

My son is only 6 months old but my SS need filtering in what we let them listen to... Sometimes they will have an attitude change from what they have seen on TV but most of the time now they know the difference between right or wrong. The only advice I have to give you would be to sit in front of the tv on a given day and watch all the kids show to determine what you would allow him to watch and what is appropriate... I love Zoboomafoo, Big comfy Couch, Bob the Builder, Dora, In the night Garden is also alright, Nihao Kai-lan (came across it by pure chance)... These are only some of my suggestions... Maybe you can also look at the YTV website and Treehouse I believe they do have episodes on there. Hold your ground on this one and don't let your son watch junk. You know better in the end! Also try to explain to your son that what he sees ontv isnt the best and that he shouldn't necessarily act the same.

Sarah - posted on 04/25/2009

my daughter is only 5 months so i havent had this problem yet with her but i work in a child care and I HATE when all my 1 year olds can spot a picture of spongebob from a mile away!!! you're right, there are not any truly appropriate kids shows on TV. we have preschoolers OBSESSED with hannah montana and high school musical and it just drives me nuts!